<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF HEIN-WERNER CORPORATION AS OF AND
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 29, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY 
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-29-1996
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,379
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,545
<INVENTORY>                                     17,161
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                36,871
<PP&E>                                          16,891
<DEPRECIATION>                                  11,621
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  44,633
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           14,924
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,629
<OTHER-SE>                                      14,341
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    44,633
<SALES>                                         35,494
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                35,494
<CGS>                                           22,477
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   33,334
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 835
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,383
<INCOME-TAX>                                       121
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,262
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,262
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.48
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.43