<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Keystone
Consolidated Industries, Inc.'s consolidated financial statements for the year
ended December 31, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
consolidated financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          22,622
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   40,782
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,941
<INVENTORY>                                     53,930
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               134,437
<PP&E>                                         293,883
<DEPRECIATION>                                 181,129
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 374,131
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           81,753
<BONDS>                                        103,055
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            3,500
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        10,029
<OTHER-SE>                                      34,182
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   374,131
<SALES>                                        354,073
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               357,344
<CGS>                                          316,599
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  316,599
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                13,711
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,513
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,612
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 16,909
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,541
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,368
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,368
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                       1.30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.28