<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 30, 1997 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-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-30-1997 <CASH> 1,770 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 29,808 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 44,387 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 80,615 <PP&E> 146,566 <DEPRECIATION> 100,746 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 153,271 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 30,082 <BONDS> 30,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 41,440 <OTHER-SE> 43,907 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 153,271 <SALES> 45,642 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 45,642 <CGS> 34,798 <TOTAL-COSTS> 34,798 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 609 <INCOME-PRETAX> 2,297 <INCOME-TAX> 864 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,433 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,433 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.19 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.19