<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BAIRNCO'S
FIRST QUARTER 1997 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-1997
<CASH>                                         618,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               25,125,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                   892,000
<INVENTORY>                                 24,974,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            55,141,000
<PP&E>                                      84,946,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              47,203,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             104,543,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       24,698,000
<BONDS>                                     23,529,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       112,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  49,981,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               104,543,000
<SALES>                                     37,445,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            37,445,000
<CGS>                                       24,465,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               24,465,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             415,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              3,449,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,276,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          2,173,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 2,173,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.23