<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-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-03-1999
<CASH>                                          78,374
<SECURITIES>                                   145,615
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,575
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     26,319
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               264,013
<PP&E>                                          24,465
<DEPRECIATION>                                  12,858
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 286,517
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           37,173
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         7,441
<OTHER-SE>                                     241,903
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   286,517
<SALES>                                         65,443
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                65,443
<CGS>                                           45,440
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   45,440
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,902
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,745
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,157
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,157
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.38