<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BLOUNT INTERNATIONAL, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                    DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                              45
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      136
<ALLOWANCES>                                         4
<INVENTORY>                                        121
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   327
<PP&E>                                             393
<DEPRECIATION>                                     210
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     669
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               95
<BONDS>                                            162
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                         355
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       669
<SALES>                                            832
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   832
<CGS>                                              574
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      574
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  14
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    102
<INCOME-TAX>                                        39
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 63
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     (2)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        61
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.64
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.60