<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>