<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-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   APR-04-1999
<CASH>                                              78,380
<SECURITIES>                                       148,989
<RECEIVABLES>                                       11,503
<ALLOWANCES>                                             0
<INVENTORY>                                         14,700
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   253,780
<PP&E>                                              22,557
<DEPRECIATION>                                      11,793
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     275,441
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               32,385
<BONDS>                                                  0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                             7,441
<OTHER-SE>                                         235,615
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       275,441
<SALES>                                             21,610
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                    21,610
<CGS>                                               15,436
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                       15,436
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      4,040
<INCOME-TAX>                                           760
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  3,280
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                         3,280
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         0.45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         0.45