<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BAIRNCO'S
FIRST QUARTER 1996 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1996
<CASH>                                       1,042,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               24,549,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                   801,000
<INVENTORY>                                 24,066,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            54,616,000
<PP&E>                                      80,224,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              44,652,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             102,370,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       24,797,000
<BONDS>                                     24,084,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       111,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  47,245,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               102,370,000
<SALES>                                     38,094,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            38,094,000
<CGS>                                       24,656,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               24,656,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             415,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              3,402,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,293,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          2,109,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 2,109,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.21