<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED MARCH 29, 1997 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-27-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-1997
<CASH>                                          67,189
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  118,655
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,210
<INVENTORY>                                     89,603
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               287,333
<PP&E>                                         307,815
<DEPRECIATION>                                  75,475
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 535,738
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           88,739
<BONDS>                                         42,193
<COMMON>                                           200
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     363,952
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   535,738
<SALES>                                        201,366
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               201,366
<CGS>                                          155,784
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  155,784
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                20,328
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,178
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,106
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,348
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,758
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,758
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.80
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.80