<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) FORM 10K
FOR YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1997.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000039092
<NAME> FRIEDMAN INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         168,245
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               11,902,925
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 21,203,665
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            33,357,160
<PP&E>                                      14,618,908
<DEPRECIATION>                               9,909,444
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              38,117,191
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       10,172,672
<BONDS>                                      4,600,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     6,161,994
<OTHER-SE>                                  16,619,965
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                38,117,191
<SALES>                                    119,920,966
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           119,920,966
<CGS>                                      109,801,719
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              113,998,077
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             509,275
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              5,500,107
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,870,036
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          3,630,071
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 3,630,071
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .56