<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>

     Financial data schedule for the Year Ended 12/31/99

</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                          0000042888

<NAME>                                         Graco Inc.

<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
<CURRENCY>                                     U.S. Dollars


                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                 DEC-26-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1
<CASH>                                         6,588
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  84,167
<ALLOWANCES>                                   4,471
<INVENTORY>                                    37,702
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               137,989
<PP&E>                                         182,156
<DEPRECIATION>                                 95,663
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 236,033
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          78,263
<BONDS>                                        66,910
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       20,416
<OTHER-SE>                                     42,524
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   236,033
<SALES>                                        442,474
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               442,474
<CGS>                                          211,339
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  211,339
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               142,294
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               333
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             7,016
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                88,841
<INCOME-TAX>                                   29,500
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            59,341
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   59,341
<EPS-BASIC>                                    2.93
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  2.84