<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Form 10-Q as
of June 30, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000033565
<NAME> ESSEX GROUP, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                           8,459
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  235,329
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,872
<INVENTORY>                                    234,135
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               481,455
<PP&E>                                         400,127
<DEPRECIATION>                                 123,232
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 895,678
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          231,642
<BONDS>                                        402,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     193,836
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   895,678
<SALES>                                        864,109
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               864,109
<CGS>                                          696,528
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  696,528
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              21,274
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 71,070
<INCOME-TAX>                                    28,300
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             42,770
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    42,770
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0