<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