<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Lawson
Product's, Inc. Form 10-Q and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
Form 10-Q filing.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          16,491
<SECURITIES>                                    24,887
<RECEIVABLES>                                   34,829
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     41,194
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               109,607
<PP&E>                                          40,144
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 184,807
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           24,666
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        11,125
<OTHER-SE>                                     125,074
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   184,807
<SALES>                                        207,693
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,188
<CGS>                                           71,167
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   71,167
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   780
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  17
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 27,456
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,206
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,250
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,250
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.46
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.46