<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM JASON
INCORPORATED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT JUNE 27, 1997, AND CONSOLIDATED
INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE 27, 1997,  AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000813471
<NAME> JASON INCORPORATED
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-26-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-27-1997
<CASH>                                            2036
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    63379
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0<F1>
<INVENTORY>                                      37492
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                129681
<PP&E>                                          159945
<DEPRECIATION>                                   71915
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  307577
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            75796
<BONDS>                                         113252<F2>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         34687
<OTHER-SE>                                       65551
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    307577
<SALES>                                         248487
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                248487
<CGS>                                           200051
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   200051
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                5199
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   8993
<INCOME-TAX>                                      3507
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               5486
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      5486
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F3>
<FN>
<F1>COMPANY PRESENTS RECEIVABLES ON A NET BASIS IN COMPLIANCE WITH ARTICLE 10
REGULATION S-X.
<F2>INCLUDES ALL NON-CURRENT PORTION OF DEBT OBLIGATIONS.
<F3>NOT REPORTED.
</FN>