<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This Schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements contained in the body of the accompanying Form 10-Q and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                   1,000
       

                            
<CIK>                          0000904900
<NAME>                         BERG ELECTRONICS CORP.
<PERIOD-TYPE>                  3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                   MAR-31-1997

<CASH>                          11,095
<SECURITIES>                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                  124,395
<ALLOWANCES>                     3,845
<INVENTORY>                     93,785
<CURRENT-ASSETS>               241,590
<PP&E>                         389,501
<DEPRECIATION>                 136,274
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                 690,342
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>          179,831
<BONDS>                        334,987
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                0
<PREFERRED>                          0
<COMMON>                             0
<OTHER-SE>                     135,011
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>   690,342
<SALES>                        188,511
<TOTAL-REVENUES>               188,511
<CGS>                          120,619
<TOTAL-COSTS>                  120,619
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                   458
<LOSS-PROVISION>                    80
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>               6,887
<INCOME-PRETAX>                 14,058
<INCOME-TAX>                     5,412
<INCOME-CONTINUING>              8,646
<DISCONTINUED>                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                      0
<CHANGES>                            0
<NET-INCOME>                     8,646
<EPS-PRIMARY>                     0.42
<EPS-DILUTED>                     0.42