<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