<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE FISCAL PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 28, 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1996
<CASH>                                          77,528
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  107,312
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,844
<INVENTORY>                                     69,692
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               264,570
<PP&E>                                         287,834
<DEPRECIATION>                                  66,663
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 502,422
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           82,335
<BONDS>                                         51,327
<COMMON>                                           200
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     330,301
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   502,422
<SALES>                                        546,063
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               546,063
<CGS>                                          426,272
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  426,272
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                55,350
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,113
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 62,747
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,376
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             43,371
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    43,371
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.22