<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM DECEMBER 1996
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000066570
<NAME> MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES CO
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           7,963
<SECURITIES>                                    17,133
<RECEIVABLES>                                  104,733
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,993)
<INVENTORY>                                     77,040
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                24,531
<PP&E>                                         347,432
<DEPRECIATION>                               (200,374)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 407,682
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           91,814
<BONDS>                                         13,278
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      3,569
<COMMON>                                        10,866
<OTHER-SE>                                     226,997
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   407,682
<SALES>                                        500,985
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               506,855
<CGS>                                          307,112
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  329,485
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   735
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,595
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 36,667
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,606
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             23,061
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    23,061
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     4.74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     4.74