<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BLOUNT INTERNATIONAL, INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
MARCH 31, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                              MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          13,582
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  177,337
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,050
<INVENTORY>                                    122,327
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               336,844
<PP&E>                                         392,722
<DEPRECIATION>                                 215,166
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 671,936
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           90,965
<BONDS>                                        161,650
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           389
<OTHER-SE>                                     360,145
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   671,936
<SALES>                                        185,103
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               185,103
<CGS>                                          131,936
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  131,936
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,510
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,907
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,064
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,843
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,843
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.23