<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000889331 <NAME> LITTELFUSE, INC <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <CURRENCY> us dollar <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-mos <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-2-1999 <PERIOD-END> APR-4-1998 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 43 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 43,038 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 38,216 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 88,626 <PP&E> 73,620 <DEPRECIATION> 3,324 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 227,375 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 52,159 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 210 <OTHER-SE> 0 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 227,375 <SALES> 69,331 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 69,331 <CGS> 42,739 <TOTAL-COSTS> 15,533 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,888 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 843 <INCOME-PRETAX> 7,692 <INCOME-TAX> 1,866 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 5,826 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.29 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.25