<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, 1998 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                             130
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  194,653
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (4,518)
<INVENTORY>                                     51,139
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               250,274
<PP&E>                                         328,532
<DEPRECIATION>                               (127,988)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 541,315
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           81,619
<BONDS>                                        363,374
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      77,113
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   541,315
<SALES>                                        645,196
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               645,196
<CGS>                                          532,809
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  592,498
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                39,130
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,226
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              36,641
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,522
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,954
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,568
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,568
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0