<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF NEENAH FOUNDRY COMPANY AS OF AND
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001040599
<NAME> NEENAH FOUNDRY COMPANY
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          21,994
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,636
<ALLOWANCES>                                       410
<INVENTORY>                                     18,286
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                64,853
<PP&E>                                         104,841
<DEPRECIATION>                                   5,118
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 318,761
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           21,101
<BONDS>                                        197,457
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           100
<OTHER-SE>                                      48,525
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   318,761
<SALES>                                         45,854
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                45,854
<CGS>                                           32,771
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   32,771
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             (6,759)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,774
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,369
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,405
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,405
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0