<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-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                          85,308
<SECURITIES>                                   112,428
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,539
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     25,308
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               245,028
<PP&E>                                          17,916
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,744
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 261,314
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           27,304
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,441
<OTHER-SE>                                     226,569
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   261,314
<SALES>                                         17,109
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                17,109
<CGS>                                           13,472
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   13,472
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,896
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (34)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,930
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,930
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0