<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