<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000040834
<NAME> GENERAL SIGNAL CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                           24300
<SECURITIES>                                        90
<RECEIVABLES>                                   378300
<ALLOWANCES>                                     15900
<INVENTORY>                                     242600
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                703300
<PP&E>                                          767100
<DEPRECIATION>                                  461300
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1549900
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           411300
<BONDS>                                         243200
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         78400
<OTHER-SE>                                      644000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1549900
<SALES>                                        1045200
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               1045200
<CGS>                                           733200
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   939300
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  1764
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                8000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  97900
<INCOME-TAX>                                     39200
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              58700
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     58700
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0