<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE MONARCH
CEMENT COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         3242245
<SECURITIES>                                  16103721
<RECEIVABLES>                                  9176237
<ALLOWANCES>                                    616000
<INVENTORY>                                   10725084
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              39417462
<PP&E>                                        95277572
<DEPRECIATION>                                71678195
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                68648409
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          6682569
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                      10565725
<OTHER-SE>                                    39015014
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  68648409
<SALES>                                       86732555
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              86732555
<CGS>                                         64095481
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 64095481
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               16525658
<INCOME-TAX>                                   5980000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           10545658
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  10545658
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.50