<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Graco Inc. and subsidiaries consolidated balance sheets for the quarterly period ending March 31, 2000 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such statements. </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000042888 <NAME> Graco Inc <MULTIPLIER> 1 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-29-2000 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 2,834 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 92,711 <ALLOWANCES> 4,700 <INVENTORY> 41,640 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 146,087 <PP&E> 187,764 <DEPRECIATION> 99,068 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 242,664 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 79,614 <BONDS> 69,645 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 20,293 <OTHER-SE> 45,386 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 242,664 <SALES> 120,227 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 120,227 <CGS> 58,098 <TOTAL-COSTS> 58,098 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 39,154 <LOSS-PROVISION> 124 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,235 <INCOME-PRETAX> 22,975 <INCOME-TAX> 8,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 14,975 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 14,975 <EPS-BASIC> 0.73 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.72