<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     This schedule contains summary financial  information  extracted from Graco
     Inc. and subsidiearies consolidated balance sheets for the quarterly period
     ending  September 24, 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>                                 JUN-26-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-24-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1
<CASH>                                         2,082
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  79,081
<ALLOWANCES>                                   4,779
<INVENTORY>                                    36,293
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               132,071
<PP&E>                                         189,191
<DEPRECIATION>                                 102,478
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 232,003
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          69,313
<BONDS>                                        83,813
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       20,415
<OTHER-SE>                                     29,693
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   232,003
<SALES>                                        110,076
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               110,076
<CGS>                                          52,566
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  52,566
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               34,967
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               70
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             1,661
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                22,543
<INCOME-TAX>                                   7,500
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            15,043
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   15,043
<EPS-BASIC>                                  .74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  .72