<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000895655
<NAME> ALLTRISTA CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                           1,464
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   41,390
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     54,145
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               113,115
<PP&E>                                         149,538
<DEPRECIATION>                                 100,934
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 180,238
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           59,905
<BONDS>                                         30,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        41,135
<OTHER-SE>                                      40,884
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   180,238
<SALES>                                         51,128
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                51,128
<CGS>                                           37,552
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   37,552
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 746
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,077
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,987
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,090
<DISCONTINUED>                                     267
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,357
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .41