<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDING MARCH 31,
1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001040475
<NAME> OXFORD AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           9,671
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   47,626
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,272
<INVENTORY>                                     13,411
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                83,304
<PP&E>                                         149,545
<DEPRECIATION>                                   4,920
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 246,461
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           76,771
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           39,300
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,050
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,291
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   246,461
<SALES>                                        136,861
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               139,062
<CGS>                                          125,375
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  133,060
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,388
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,614
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,065
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,549
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,549
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     9.37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     9.37