<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Jason
Incorporated's consolidated balance sheet at September 27, 1996 and consolidated
statements of income for the nine month period ended September 27, 1996 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000813471
<NAME> JASON INCORPORATED
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-27-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-27-1996
<CASH>                                            1992
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    71799
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0<F1>
<INVENTORY>                                      35490
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                141299
<PP&E>                                          137017
<DEPRECIATION>                                   64350
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  306545
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            76994
<BONDS>                                         118897<F2>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         34619
<OTHER-SE>                                       59392
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    306545
<SALES>                                         322395
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                322395
<CGS>                                           256501
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   256501
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                7166
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  12881
<INCOME-TAX>                                      5136
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               7745
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      7745
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F3>
<FN>
<F1>Company presents receivables on a net basis in compliance with Article 10
    Regulation S-X.
<F2>Includes all non-current portion of debt obligations.
<F3>Not Reported.
</FN>