<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER
27, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-27-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-29-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-27-1998
<CASH>                                           2,243
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  302,050
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    172,503
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               533,510
<PP&E>                                         829,358
<DEPRECIATION>                                 433,394
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 945,205
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          390,252
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           289
<OTHER-SE>                                     305,896
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   945,205
<SALES>                                        583,924
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               583,924
<CGS>                                          474,841
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  474,841
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                54,407
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,158
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 46,518
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,440
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             29,078
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,078
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.23