<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BLOUNT INTERNATIONAL, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
MARCH 31, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                              MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           4,314
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  161,414
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,136
<INVENTORY>                                    140,556
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               329,837
<PP&E>                                         382,362
<DEPRECIATION>                                 194,223
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 664,899
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          144,098
<BONDS>                                        140,426
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           389
<OTHER-SE>                                     328,144
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   664,899
<SALES>                                        199,734
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               199,734
<CGS>                                          139,229
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  139,229
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,031
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 22,287
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,580
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             13,707
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    13,707
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.36