<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM GRACO INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEETS FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDING MARCH 31, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000042888
<NAME> GRACO INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-29-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1995
<CASH>                                             809
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   85,264
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,167
<INVENTORY>                                     54,589
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               150,380
<PP&E>                                         151,774
<DEPRECIATION>                                  77,767
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 238,977
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           95,399
<BONDS>                                         30,376
<COMMON>                                        11,495
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            1,474
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      74,916
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   238,997
<SALES>                                         95,527
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                95,527
<CGS>                                           49,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   49,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                37,791
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   544
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 684
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,736
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,300
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,436
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,436
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .47