<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000032346
<NAME> ELGIN NATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                          9,337
<SECURITIES>                                        0         
<RECEIVABLES>                                  27,933
<ALLOWANCES>                                      578
<INVENTORY>                                    13,497
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               53,513 
<PP&E>                                         22,805
<DEPRECIATION>                                  9,223
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                102,879
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          30,278
<BONDS>                                        85,440
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          13,226<F2>
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                            0
<OTHER-SE>                                   (31,860)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  102,879
<SALES>                                       139,615 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              139,615
<CGS>                                         102,744         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 102,744 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  111
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              3,471
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 8,113
<INCOME-TAX>                                    3,187
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             4,926
<DISCONTINUED>                                    122 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 (582)
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                    4,466
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                       0<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       0<F1>
<FN>

<F1> "Earnings per share is not calculated in accordance with FAS No. 128"

<F2> "Preferred stock-mandatory includes preferred stock units"
</FN>