<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
SEPTEMBER 28, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-28-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1997
<CASH>                                           4,825
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  121,534
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    204,803
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               378,303
<PP&E>                                         809,182
<DEPRECIATION>                                 411,199
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 804,025
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          210,671
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           289
<OTHER-SE>                                     315,745
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   804,025
<SALES>                                        170,557
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               170,557
<CGS>                                          144,146
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   26,859
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,794
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,242)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,610)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,632)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,632)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.10)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.10)