<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED MARCH 28, 1998 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-26-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-28-1998
<CASH>                                          76,082
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  146,979
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,331
<INVENTORY>                                     93,624
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               327,112
<PP&E>                                         363,860
<DEPRECIATION>                                  94,674
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 636,363
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          108,866
<BONDS>                                         49,508
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           200
<OTHER-SE>                                     437,206
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   636,363
<SALES>                                        226,652
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               226,652
<CGS>                                          175,457
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  175,457
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                23,426
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,352
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 28,540
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,275
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,265
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    19,265
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.97