<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF VENTURE HOLDINGS TRUST FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF VENTURE
HOLDINGS TRUST FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000864167
<NAME> VENTURE HOLDINGS TRUST 
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                      15,436,391                 348,188
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                              132,449,560             139,775,591
<ALLOWANCES>                               (2,781,155)             (3,052,276)
<INVENTORY>                                 51,100,052              48,957,732
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           210,417,645             197,400,261
<PP&E>                                     294,384,714             313,161,305
<DEPRECIATION>                            (90,410,101)           (105,145,481)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             498,067,221             483,803,108
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      127,014,260             109,234,494
<BONDS>                                    289,364,393             285,225,752
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                  52,759,163              66,058,001
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               498,067,221             483,803,108
<SALES>                                    351,776,672             320,115,012
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           351,776,672             320,115,012
<CGS>                                      302,939,580             199,716,270
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              329,527,198             290,723,091
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            20,250,653              16,093,083
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             2,781,155               3,052,276
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          20,133,276<F1>          15,112,773<F1>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              2,334,798              14,712,551
<INCOME-TAX>                                   335,977               1,413,713
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          1,998,821              13,298,838
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                            (2,737,650)                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (738,829)              13,298,838
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES THE BALANCE OF THE "AMORTIZATION OF DEBT EXPENSE AND DEBT DISCOUNT"
LINE ITEM FOR THE RESPECTIVE PERIOD, FROM EXHIBIT 12.
</FN>