<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000886035
<NAME> GENERAL CABLE CORP.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                          10,600
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  182,700
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,500
<INVENTORY>                                    183,300
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               400,500
<PP&E>                                         228,500
<DEPRECIATION>                                  50,500
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 624,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          149,500
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           400
<OTHER-SE>                                     151,900
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   624,000
<SALES>                                        585,300
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               585,300
<CGS>                                          461,400
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  461,400
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 51,800
<INCOME-TAX>                                    20,200
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             31,600
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    31,600
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .86
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .84
        
<FN> 
A three for two stock split occurred on May 14, 1998, prior
Financial Data Schedules have not been restated.
</FN>