<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S 1997 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         109,974 <F1>
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  194,981
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (3,827)
<INVENTORY>                                    199,485
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               535,304
<PP&E>                                         153,146
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (95,521)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 598,161
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          259,525
<BONDS>                                         29,867
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     37,691
<COMMON>                                        20,604
<OTHER-SE>                                     231,715
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   598,161
<SALES>                                      1,043,365
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,044,815
<CGS>                                          787,971
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  996,734
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (80,117) <F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,894
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                120,304
<INCOME-TAX>                                    49,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             70,504
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    70,504
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.53
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.86
<FN>

<F1> Includes $105,100 in an overnight repurchase agreement.  This
excess cash is the result of the sale of Kaman Sciences Corporation
on December 30, 1997.
<F2> Includes net gain on sale of businesses of $80,351.
</FN>