<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     This schedule  contains summary  financial information extracted from Graco
     Inc. and subsidiaries consolidated balance sheets for the quarterly  period
     ending March 25, 1999 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-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                 DEC-25-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   MAR-25-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1
<CASH>                                         4,204
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  85,562
<ALLOWANCES>                                   4,400
<INVENTORY>                                    34,111
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               133,175
<PP&E>                                         199,706
<DEPRECIATION>                                 105,355
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 233,572
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          77,110
<BONDS>                                        107,068
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       20,294
<OTHER-SE>                                     1,299
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   233,572
<SALES>                                        103,241
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               103,241
<CGS>                                          50,384
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  50,384
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               33,903
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               148
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             1,953
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                17,001
<INCOME-TAX>                                   5,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            11,201
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   11,201
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  .56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  .54