<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> TRANS-RESOURCES, INC. Financial Data Schedule Article 5 of Regulation S-X </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997 <CASH> 23,256 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 101,006 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 42,019 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 215,822 <PP&E> 305,994 <DEPRECIATION> 109,213 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 446,634 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 122,824 <BONDS> 266,365 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 7,960 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 20,064 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 446,634 <SALES> 194,283 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 194,283 <CGS> 156,722 <TOTAL-COSTS> 156,722 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 20,298 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 14,421 <INCOME-PRETAX> 5,378 <INCOME-TAX> 1,486 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,892 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 3,892 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0