<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BEL FUSE
INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AT DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND YEAR THEN
ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   Year
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                    DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                      29,231,967
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               11,408,379
<ALLOWANCES>                                   227,000
<INVENTORY>                                 12,202,938
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            53,420,368
<PP&E>                                      54,233,978
<DEPRECIATION>                              25,181,624
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              83,152,233
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        9,365,823
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       512,192
<OTHER-SE>                                  72,317,218
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                83,152,233
<SALES>                                     73,530,876
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            73,530,876
<CGS>                                       50,723,813
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               64,553,578
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             10,405,462
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,555,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          8,850,462
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 8,850,462
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.72