Exhibit 11

                                   TRIMAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
                                (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)





                                   Nine Months Ended      Three Months Ended
                                     September 30,           September 30,    
                                   1997         1996      1997          1996  
                                                          

Primary:

   Net income                       $55,150     $46,390   $17,430     $14,440 

   Weighted average common 
     shares outstanding              40,009      36,644    41,329      36,644 
   Dilution of stock options            334         327       350         333 

   Weighted average common 
     and common equivalent 
     shares outstanding 
     after assumed exercise 
     of options                      40,343      36,971    41,679      36,977 

   Primary earnings per 
      common share                    $1.37       $1.25      $.42        $.39 

Fully diluted:

    Net income                      $55,150     $43,390   $17,430     $14,440 
    Add after tax convertible 
      debenture related 
      expenses                          300       2,760        -          920 

    Net income as adjusted          $55,450     $49,150   $17,430     $15,360 

    Weighted average common 
      shares outstanding             40,009      36,644    41,329      36,644 
    Dilution of stock options           357         345       357         345 
    Addition from assumed 
      conversion of convertible 
      debentures                      1,320       5,083        -        5,083 

    Weighted average common 
      and common equivalent 
      shares outstanding on 
      a fully diluted basis          41,686      42,072    41,686      42,072 

    Fully diluted earnings 
      per common share                $1.33       $1.17      $.42        $.37