<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-01-2000
<CASH>                                          52,977
<SECURITIES>                                   145,568
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,861
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     35,556
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               255,061
<PP&E>                                          26,969
<DEPRECIATION>                                  13,871
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 279,298
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           38,143
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,441
<OTHER-SE>                                     233,714
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   279,298
<SALES>                                         69,574
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                69,574
<CGS>                                           49,188
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   49,188
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,490
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,024
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,466
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,466
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.34