<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-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-04-1998
<CASH>                                          93,627
<SECURITIES>                                   122,430
<RECEIVABLES>                                   14,420
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     28,212
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               259,425
<PP&E>                                          22,456
<DEPRECIATION>                                  12,511
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 280,225
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           36,285
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,441
<OTHER-SE>                                     236,499
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   280,225
<SALES>                                         59,565
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                59,565
<CGS>                                           41,752
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   41,752
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,107
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,802
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,305
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,305
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.26