<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS OF HEIN-WERNER CORPORATION FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED MARCH 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1996
<CASH>                                            (78)
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   21,024
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,759
<INVENTORY>                                     18,769
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                38,593
<PP&E>                                          16,727
<DEPRECIATION>                                  11,349
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  46,564
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           16,430
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,629
<OTHER-SE>                                      14,087
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    46,564
<SALES>                                         17,623
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                17,623
<CGS>                                           10,970
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   16,443
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 420
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    797
<INCOME-TAX>                                        17
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                780
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       780
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.26