<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE TREADCO,
INC. ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000876948
<NAME> TREADCO, INC.
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          15,804
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               18,310,397
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,161,266
<INVENTORY>                                 30,043,877
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            57,829,009
<PP&E>                                      46,757,671
<DEPRECIATION>                              13,571,967
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             105,415,793
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       23,786,008
<BONDS>                                     19,610,482
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        50,723
<OTHER-SE>                                  61,896,891
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               105,415,793
<SALES>                                    144,154,127
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           144,154,127
<CGS>                                      103,751,776
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              149,798,804
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             1,645,349
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             899,786
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (5,351,981)
<INCOME-TAX>                               (2,093,180)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (3,258,801)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (3,258,801)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.64)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.64)