<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000352956 <NAME> FAFCO, INC. <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1997 <CASH> 679,200 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 2,437,500 <ALLOWANCES> 604,200 <INVENTORY> 723,500 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 3,488,400 <PP&E> 2,577,000 <DEPRECIATION> 2,200,400 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,475,000 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,630,000 <BONDS> 985,900 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 412,200 <OTHER-SE> 1,446,900 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,475,000 <SALES> 8,252,500 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 8,364,200 <CGS> 4,795,000 <TOTAL-COSTS> 4,795,000 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 28,800 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 107,500 <INCOME-PRETAX> 736,700 <INCOME-TAX> 54,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 682,700 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 82,000 <NET-INCOME> 682,700 <EPS-PRIMARY> .19 <EPS-DILUTED> .17