<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LEGGETT & PLATT, INCORPORATED FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 (COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-7845) AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996 <CASH> 3700 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 335400 <ALLOWANCES> 8600 <INVENTORY> 379600 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 763300 <PP&E> 1015100 <DEPRECIATION> 432200 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1712900 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 292800 <BONDS> 388500 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 900 <OTHER-SE> 940200 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1712900 <SALES> 2466200 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 2466200 <CGS> 1842700 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1842700 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 30000 <INCOME-PRETAX> 249700<F1> <INCOME-TAX> 96700 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 153000<F1> <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 12500<F2> <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 140500<F1><F2> <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.53<F1><F2> <EPS-DILUTED> 0 <FN> <F1> Amounts include merger related costs of $26,600 pre-tax and $16,400 after-tax, or $.18 per share. <F2> Extraordinary item of $12,500 after-tax, or $.14 per share relates to refinancing of Pace debt. </FN>