<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE TJ
INTERNATIONAL, INC. BALANCE SHEET AT SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 AND FROM ITS STATEMENT
OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 28, 1996.  THE INFORMATION 
PRESENTED IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1996
<CASH>                                          53,091
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   64,338
<ALLOWANCES>                                       390
<INVENTORY>                                     40,450
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               173,652
<PP&E>                                         561,474
<DEPRECIATION>                                 175,299
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 601,109
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           88,305
<BONDS>                                         88,140
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     13,772
<COMMON>                                        17,375
<OTHER-SE>                                     190,682
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   601,109
<SALES>                                        445,778
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               445,778
<CGS>                                          337,822
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  337,822
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                66,097
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,688
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 19,493
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,407
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,086
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,086
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .62