<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