<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S 1996 ANNUAL REPORT TO 
SHAREHOLDERS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY 
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000054381
<NAME> KAMAN CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           5,445
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  188,090
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (2,574)
<INVENTORY>                                    213,468
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               434,131
<PP&E>                                         191,323
<DEPRECIATION>                                (114,930)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 521,736
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          195,638
<BONDS>                                         83,940
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     57,167
<COMMON>                                        18,743
<OTHER-SE>                                     152,220
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   521,736
<SALES>                                        948,106
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               953,654
<CGS>                                          708,505
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  902,252
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   702
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,023
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 40,677
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,100
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             23,577
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    23,577
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.00