<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NATIONAL
PRESTO INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                        3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                   APR-02-2000
<CASH>                                              82,677
<SECURITIES>                                       136,120
<RECEIVABLES>                                        9,483
<ALLOWANCES>                                             0
<INVENTORY>                                         20,047
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   248,390
<PP&E>                                              25,431
<DEPRECIATION>                                      12,638
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     272,322
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               33,999
<BONDS>                                                  0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                             7,441
<OTHER-SE>                                         230,882
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       272,322
<SALES>                                             18,507
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                    18,507
<CGS>                                               13,820
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                       13,820
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      3,578
<INCOME-TAX>                                           560
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  3,018
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                         3,018
<EPS-BASIC>                                           0.42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         0.42