<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER
28, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-28-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-28-1997
<CASH>                                           6,383
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  245,271
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    213,239
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               513,646
<PP&E>                                         811,895
<DEPRECIATION>                                 413,256
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 939,672
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          353,766
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           289
<OTHER-SE>                                     308,386
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   939,672
<SALES>                                        479,038
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               479,038
<CGS>                                          401,730
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  401,730
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                55,904
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,042
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,362
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,700
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,662
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,662
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .30