<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BLOUNT, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1996 <CASH> 24,754 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 122,971 <ALLOWANCES> 3,740 <INVENTORY> 90,915 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 261,653 <PP&E> 292,862 <DEPRECIATION> 164,542 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 514,028 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 105,002 <BONDS> 95,791 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 266,466 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 514,028 <SALES> 315,299 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 315,299 <CGS> 207,946 <TOTAL-COSTS> 207,946 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,417 <INCOME-PRETAX> 39,008 <INCOME-TAX> 13,908 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 25,100 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 25,100 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0