<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 1996 ANNUAL
REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000039092
<NAME> FRIEDMAN INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         595,216
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                9,423,204
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 17,391,625
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            27,524,670
<PP&E>                                      14,584,985
<DEPRECIATION>                               9,316,572
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              32,812,986
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        6,410,527
<BONDS>                                      5,400,000
<COMMON>                                     5,834,195
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                  14,594,741
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                32,812,986
<SALES>                                    106,849,181
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           106,849,181
<CGS>                                       98,435,636
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              102,003,421
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             617,629
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              4,298,132
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,461,364
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          2,836,768
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 2,836,768
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .46
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .46