<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 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> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-27-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-27-1997 <CASH> 69,978 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 132,582 <ALLOWANCES> 3,680 <INVENTORY> 98,181 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 309,051 <PP&E> 349,502 <DEPRECIATION> 89,138 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 610,776 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 100,557 <BONDS> 53,113 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 200 <OTHER-SE> 417,840 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 610,776 <SALES> 888,997 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 888,997 <CGS> 704,801 <TOTAL-COSTS> 704,801 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 84,487 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,968 <INCOME-PRETAX> 100,821 <INCOME-TAX> 31,051 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 69,770 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 69,770 <EPS-PRIMARY> 3.99 <EPS-DILUTED> 3.56