<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Balance Sheet and Consolidated Statement of Earnings of Fastenal
Company and Subsidiary as of, and for the three months ended, March 31, 1997
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                               
<PERIOD-TYPE>                     3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                        250,000
<SECURITIES>                                        0<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                              52,801,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                  570,000
<INVENTORY>                                60,006,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                          117,952,000
<PP&E>                                     73,230,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             22,299,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                            173,055,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      38,570,000
<BONDS>                                             0
<COMMON>                                      379,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<OTHER-SE>                                133,566,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>              173,055,000
<SALES>                                    87,095,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           87,095,000
<CGS>                                      41,259,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              41,259,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                              293,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            229,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            14,675,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                5,910,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         8,765,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                8,765,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     .23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .23
<FN>

<F1> Marketable securities in the amount of $515,000 have been classified as
     non-current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet of Fastenal Company
     and Subsidiary as of March 31, 1997.
</FN>