<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK>      0000048287
<NAME>     HON INDUSTRIES INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<PERIOD-START>                            DEC-29-1996
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-END>                              JAN-03-1998
<CASH>                                         46,080 
<SECURITIES>                                      260  
<RECEIVABLES>                                 161,685        
<ALLOWANCES>                                    3,277    
<INVENTORY>                                    60,182     
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              295,150      
<PP&E>                                        515,494      
<DEPRECIATION>                                174,464      
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                754,673      
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         200,759      
<BONDS>                                       123,487      
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                       61,659      
<OTHER-SE>                                    320,003      
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  754,673
<SALES>                                     1,362,713 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            1,362,713
<CGS>                                         933,157         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 933,157 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              284,397
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              6,031
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               139,128
<INCOME-TAX>                                   52,173
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            86,955
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                   86,955     
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   $1.45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   $1.45