<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE TREADCO, INC. QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 26,783,780 <ALLOWANCES> 1,403,140 <INVENTORY> 28,885,807 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 63,548,802 <PP&E> 53,897,003 <DEPRECIATION> 20,931,457 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 110,186,126 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 35,399,301 <BONDS> 14,958,063 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 50,723 <OTHER-SE> 59,677,614 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 110,186,126 <SALES> 136,735,094 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 136,735,094 <CGS> 134,404,060 <TOTAL-COSTS> 134,404,060 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (70,273) <LOSS-PROVISION> 1,141,380 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 839,519 <INCOME-PRETAX> 1,561,788 <INCOME-TAX> 668,019 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 893,769 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 893,769 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.18 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.18