<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-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-29-1996
<CASH>                                          85,336
<SECURITIES>                                   122,763
<RECEIVABLES>                                   16,357
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     27,011
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               252,561
<PP&E>                                          19,230
<DEPRECIATION>                                  10,688
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 269,216
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           30,120
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,441
<OTHER-SE>                                     231,655
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   269,216
<SALES>                                         57,080
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                57,080
<CGS>                                           42,169
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   42,169
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,775
<INCOME-TAX>                                       788
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,987
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,987
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .95
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0