<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000033488
<NAME> ESCALADE, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-27-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-13-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-04-1997
<CASH>                                              76
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   17,689
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,002
<INVENTORY>                                     22,693
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                41,169
<PP&E>                                          37,839
<DEPRECIATION>                                  26,939
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  60,275
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           25,462
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         8,472
<OTHER-SE>                                      13,061
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    60,275
<SALES>                                         53,183
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                53,183
<CGS>                                           36,694
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   48,628
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (117)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 849
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,823
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,775
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,048
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,048
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .66
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .66