<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000730263
<NAME> THOR INDUSTRIES
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1997
<CASH>                                       4,141,490
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               47,151,121
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 58,836,606
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           114,111,433
<PP&E>                                      28,242,602
<DEPRECIATION>                              11,302,145
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             158,719,046
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       47,286,198
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       909,925
<OTHER-SE>                                 109,519,965
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               158,719,046
<SALES>                                    274,021,888
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           274,021,888
<CGS>                                      246,423,249
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              263,125,385
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             (164,608)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             521,933
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             10,974,197
<INCOME-TAX>                                 4,492,446
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          6,481,751
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 6,486,751
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     $.77
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0