<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME OF WOLVERINE TUBE, INC. FOR THE SIX
MONTH PERIOD ENDED JULY 4, 1998 AND THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF
WOLVERINE TUBE, INC. AT JULY 4, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-04-1998
<CASH>                                          12,293
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   91,840<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     85,717
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               191,831
<PP&E>                                         187,728<F1>
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 472,945
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           48,676
<BONDS>                                        127,315
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            2,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           141
<OTHER-SE>                                     253,176
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   472,945
<SALES>                                        339,939
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               339,939
<CGS>                                          289,479
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  289,479
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                12,984
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,788
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 34,688
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,445
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             22,243
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    22,243
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.55
<FN>
<F1>THE VALUES FOR THE TAGS RECEIVABLES AND PP&E ARE SHOWN NET OF THEIR
RESPECTIVE ALLOWANCE ACCOUNTS.
</FN>