<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 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> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-28-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-28-1996 <CASH> 96,956 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 92,093 <ALLOWANCES> 3,188 <INVENTORY> 76,647 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 274,712 <PP&E> 290,763 <DEPRECIATION> (70,908) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 509,357 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 78,956 <BONDS> 44,806 <COMMON> 200 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 347,882 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 509,357 <SALES> 718,312 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 718,312 <CGS> 554,570 <TOTAL-COSTS> 554,570 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 73,280 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,346 <INCOME-PRETAX> 88,412 <INCOME-TAX> 27,239 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 61,173 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 61,173 <EPS-PRIMARY> 3.14 <EPS-DILUTED> 3.14