<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM TRIMAS CORPORATION'S FORM 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-31-1997 <CASH> 89,660,000 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 104,660,000 <ALLOWANCES> 2,030,000 <INVENTORY> 97,070,000 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 294,700,000 <PP&E> 330,040,000 <DEPRECIATION> 135,110,000 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 705,790,000 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 80,990,000 <BONDS> 74,330,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 410,000 <OTHER-SE> 509,180,000 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 705,790,000 <SALES> 164,220,000 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 164,220,000 <CGS> 111,680,000 <TOTAL-COSTS> 111,680,000 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,800,000 <INCOME-PRETAX> 26,020,00 <INCOME-TAX> 9,850,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 16,170,000 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 16,170,000 <EPS-PRIMARY> .43 <EPS-DILUTED> .40