<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SNAP-ON INCORPORATED AS OF AND FOR THE
THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED MARCH 29, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER<F1>
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-1997
<CASH>                                           9,129
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  674,624
<ALLOWANCES>                                    16,947
<INVENTORY>                                    299,203
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,052,046
<PP&E>                                         517,451
<DEPRECIATION>                                 270,069
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,617,688
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          370,746
<BONDS>                                        200,065
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        66,083
<OTHER-SE>                                     778,023
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,617,688
<SALES>                                        375,299
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               375,299
<CGS>                                          182,332
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  182,332
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               151,319
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,381
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 53,737
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,883
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             33,854
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    33,854
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .56
<FN>
<F1>  13 weeks