<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-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                OCT-1-1995
<CASH>                                          97,616
<SECURITIES>                                   101,610
<RECEIVABLES>                                   29,386
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     37,177
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               265,935
<PP&E>                                          17,001
<DEPRECIATION>                                  10,275
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 280,449
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           42,834
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                         7,441
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     230,174
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   280,449
<SALES>                                         62,883
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                62,883
<CGS>                                           43,503
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   43,503
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 516
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,045
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,204
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,841
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,841
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0