<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-02-1995
<CASH>                                         106,546
<SECURITIES>                                   100,995
<RECEIVABLES>                                   16,345
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     27,986
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               252,115
<PP&E>                                          15,764
<DEPRECIATION>                                  10,038
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 265,629
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           33,351
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                         7,441
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     224,837
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   265,629
<SALES>                                         33,844
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                33,844
<CGS>                                           24,155
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   24,155
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 265
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,345
<INCOME-TAX>                                       301
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,044
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,044
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .70
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0