<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE FISCAL PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 26, 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-26-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-26-1998
<CASH>                                          62,121
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  145,739
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,970
<INVENTORY>                                    117,679
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               331,744
<PP&E>                                         400,130
<DEPRECIATION>                                 105,760
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 699,283
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          119,414
<BONDS>                                         56,223
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           401
<OTHER-SE>                                     484,420
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   699,283
<SALES>                                        665,265
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               665,265
<CGS>                                          512,927
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  512,927
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                70,869
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,701
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 83,681
<INCOME-TAX>                                    25,941
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             57,740
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    57,740
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.45