<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-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                   JUL-06-1997
<CASH>                                                              76,678
<SECURITIES>                                                       143,776
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        8,128
<ALLOWANCES>                                                             0
<INVENTORY>                                                         19,775
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                   249,304
<PP&E>                                                              18,943
<DEPRECIATION>                                                      10,857
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                     266,859
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                               29,453
<BONDS>                                                                  0
<COMMON>                                                             7,441
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                                              0
<OTHER-SE>                                                         229,965
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                       266,859
<SALES>                                                             34,817
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                    34,817
<CGS>                                                               25,954
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                       25,954
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                         0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                      5,770
<INCOME-TAX>                                                           552
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                  5,218
<DISCONTINUED>                                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                                         5,218
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                         0.71
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                            0