<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS OF A. O. SMITH CORPORATION AS OF AND FOR THE
SIX MONTHS  ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                         5,484
<SECURITIES>                                   26,219
<RECEIVABLES>                                  165,335
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                    102,392
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               315,705
<PP&E>                                         525,509
<DEPRECIATION>                                 271,027
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 807,988
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          153,528
<BONDS>                                        131,212
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          67,484
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     350,131
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   807,988
<SALES>                                        520,106
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               520,106
<CGS>                                          415,847
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  415,847
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               59,951
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             4,499
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                39,809
<INCOME-TAX>                                   14,492
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            25,317
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   25,317
<EPS-BASIC>                                  1.09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  1.07