<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Form 10-Q as
of September 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           5,587
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  234,895
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,890
<INVENTORY>                                    225,293
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               472,233
<PP&E>                                         406,765
<DEPRECIATION>                                 129,428
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 883,449
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          268,926
<BONDS>                                        331,075
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     215,881
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   883,449
<SALES>                                      1,309,275
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,309,275
<CGS>                                        1,059,504
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,059,504
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              29,836
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                107,615
<INCOME-TAX>                                    42,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             64,815
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    64,815
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0