<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE  CONTAINS SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED FROM AVONDALE
INDUSTRIES,  INC.'S  QUARTERLY  REPORT FILED ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER  ENDED
MARCH 31, 1999,  AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          47,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  124,898
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     30,909
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               221,456
<PP&E>                                         298,971
<DEPRECIATION>                               (143,480)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 392,945
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           98,630
<BONDS>                                         47,701
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        15,974
<OTHER-SE>                                     202,059
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   392,945
<SALES>                                        195,274
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               195,274
<CGS>                                          174,871
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  174,871
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 626
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,047
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,580
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,467
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,467
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.56