<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE AUDITED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF VENTURE HOLDINGS TRUST FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 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>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           1,477
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  164,087
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,930)
<INVENTORY>                                     52,616
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               224,244
<PP&E>                                         319,275
<DEPRECIATION>                               (113,510)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 524,122
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           99,143
<BONDS>                                        333,066
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      64,282
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   524,122
<SALES>                                        624,113
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               624,113
<CGS>                                          521,361
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  579,050
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,182
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 14,881
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,358
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,523
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,523
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        
<FN>
INCLUDES THE BALANCE OF THE "AMORTIZATION OF DEBT EXPENSE
AND DEBT DISCOUNT"
</FN>