<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BLOUNT, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1997,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                           19077
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   163614
<ALLOWANCES>                                      3023
<INVENTORY>                                      85549
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                289612
<PP&E>                                          308860
<DEPRECIATION>                                  175212
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  554600
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           111207
<BONDS>                                          85107
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      312484
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    554600
<SALES>                                         170063
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                170063
<CGS>                                           113794
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   113794
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                2205
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  21756
<INCOME-TAX>                                      7971
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              13785
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     13785
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0