<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE FISCAL PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 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> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-27-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-27-1997 <CASH> 44,333 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 142,483 <ALLOWANCES> 3,229 <INVENTORY> 113,162 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 310,132 <PP&E> 352,417 <DEPRECIATION> 96,026 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 609,643 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 109,382 <BONDS> 61,094 <COMMON> 200 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 396,986 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 609,643 <SALES> 645,936 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 645,936 <CGS> 509,845 <TOTAL-COSTS> 509,845 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 61,259 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,114 <INCOME-PRETAX> 72,475 <INCOME-TAX> 22,327 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 50,148 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 50,148 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.56 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.55