<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOUND ON PAGES 3
AND 4 OF THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE YEAR TO DATE AND IS QUALIFIED IN 
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001016177
<NAME> DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                           6,081
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   44,351
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     10,786
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                67,089
<PP&E>                                          50,007
<DEPRECIATION>                                  14,171
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 147,752
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           44,754
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            88
<OTHER-SE>                                      83,851
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   147,752
<SALES>                                        184,487
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               184,487
<CGS>                                          159,151
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  159,151
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,928
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,287
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,121
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,421
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,700
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,700
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.18