<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
                    GENLYTE GROUP INC.
                    EXHIBIT 27 FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                    0000833076
<NAME>                   THE GENLYTE GROUP INCORPORATED
<MULTIPLIER>                      1000
       
                                
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>               SEP-27-1997
<CASH>                           3,514
<SECURITIES>                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                   78,499
<ALLOWANCES>                     6,129
<INVENTORY>                     78,499
<CURRENT-ASSETS>               177,727
<PP&E>                         215,269
<DEPRECIATION>                 155,315
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                 256,536
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>           87,898
<BONDS>                         45,804
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>              132
<PREFERRED>                          0
<COMMON>                             0
<OTHER-SE>                      97,405
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>   256,536
<SALES>                        357,979
<TOTAL-REVENUES>               357,979
<CGS>                          235,640
<TOTAL-COSTS>                  331,771
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>               3,208
<INCOME-PRETAX>                 23,000
<INCOME-TAX>                     9,890
<INCOME-CONTINUING>             13,110
<DISCONTINUED>                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                      0
<CHANGES>                            0
<NET-INCOME>                    13,110
<EPS-PRIMARY>                     0.98
<EPS-DILUTED>                     0.98