<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED MARCH 30, 1996 AND IS 
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000089439
<NAME> MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1996
<CASH>                                          45,471
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  102,349
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,021
<INVENTORY>                                     64,731
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               224,710
<PP&E>                                         282,522
<DEPRECIATION>                                  58,406
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 467,178
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           75,819
<BONDS>                                         55,792
<COMMON>                                           200
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     299,151
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   467,178
<SALES>                                        180,515
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               180,515
<CGS>                                          143,532
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  143,532
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                18,354
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,240
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 19,269
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,977
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,292
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,292
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.68