<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM GIDDINGS &
LEWIS' CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT SEPTEMBER 29, 1996 AND CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 29, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-29-1996
<CASH>                                          20,761
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  325,533
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,752
<INVENTORY>                                    113,480
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               466,689
<PP&E>                                         230,117
<DEPRECIATION>                                 114,189
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 800,794
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          167,774
<BONDS>                                        100,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            3,462
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     493,147
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   800,794
<SALES>                                        577,860
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               577,860
<CGS>                                          457,193
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  457,193
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                16,626
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,104
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 37,993
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,701
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             25,292
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    25,292
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .74