<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>  1000

                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                        6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                               DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                    JUL-02-2000
<CASH>                                               60,833
<SECURITIES>                                        148,193
<RECEIVABLES>                                        10,896
<ALLOWANCES>                                              0
<INVENTORY>                                          27,951
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                    247,974
<PP&E>                                               26,534
<DEPRECIATION>                                       13,280
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                      272,367
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                32,522
<BONDS>                                                   0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                               0
<COMMON>                                              7,441
<OTHER-SE>                                          232,404
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                        272,367
<SALES>                                              20,399
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     20,399
<CGS>                                                14,741
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        14,741
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                        0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                       3,309
<INCOME-TAX>                                            461
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                   2,848
<DISCONTINUED>                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                          2,848
<EPS-BASIC>                                            0.40
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          0.40