<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