<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BLOUNT INTERNATIONAL, 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>                                  123,227
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,740
<INVENTORY>                                     90,915
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               261,909
<PP&E>                                         292,862
<DEPRECIATION>                                 164,542
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 514,284
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          105,002
<BONDS>                                         95,791
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           192
<OTHER-SE>                                     266,530
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   514,284
<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>                                 38,765
<INCOME-TAX>                                    14,731
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             24,034
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    24,034
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.23