<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK>      0001046131
<NAME>     MIDAS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-26-1998
<PERIOD-END>                              MAR-28-1998
<CASH>                                         27,400
<SECURITIES>                                        0         
<RECEIVABLES>                                  68,900
<ALLOWANCES>                                    3,200
<INVENTORY>                                    76,400
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              195,100 
<PP&E>                                        330,200
<DEPRECIATION>                                134,200
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                443,400
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         111,700
<BONDS>                                       211,600<F1>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                       27,400
<OTHER-SE>                                     72,800
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  443,400
<SALES>                                       131,200 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              131,200
<CGS>                                          62,200         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 119,500<F2> 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  700
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              3,800
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 7,200
<INCOME-TAX>                                    3,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             4,200
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0 
<NET-INCOME>                                    4,200
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.24
<FN>

<F1> INCLUDES: CAPITALIZED LEASE OBLIGATIONS AND LONG-TERM DEBT OF $14,600 AND
     $197,000, RESPECTIVELY.

<F2> INCLUDES: COST OF GOODS SOLD AND S,G & A EXPENSES OF $62,200 AND $57,300,
     RESPECTIVELY.
</FN>