<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF VENTURE HOLDINGS TRUST FOR THE
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000864167
<NAME> VENTURE HOLDINGS TRUST
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           1,881
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  171,193
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,734)
<INVENTORY>                                     49,829
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               231,833
<PP&E>                                         316,426
<DEPRECIATION>                               (112,322)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 524,901
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           91,497
<BONDS>                                        344,176
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      64,150
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   524,901
<SALES>                                        456,530
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               456,530
<CGS>                                          380,682
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  422,779
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   472
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              21,973<F1>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,728
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,337
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,391
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,391
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1> INCLUDES THE BALANCE OF THE "AMORTIZATION OF DEBT EXPENSE AND DEBT
DISCOUNT"
</FN>