<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE TJ
INTERNATIONAL, INC. BALANCE SHEET AT JANUARY 3, 1998 AND FROM ITS STATEMENT OF
INCOME FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 3, 1998.  THE INFORMATION PRESENTED
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-03-1998
<CASH>                                         119,087
<SECURITIES>                                    40,751
<RECEIVABLES>                                   55,766
<ALLOWANCES>                                       397
<INVENTORY>                                     68,954
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               295,084
<PP&E>                                         603,693
<DEPRECIATION>                                 223,207
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 712,104
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           75,879
<BONDS>                                        142,390
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     13,535
<COMMON>                                        17,807
<OTHER-SE>                                     210,070
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   712,104
<SALES>                                        706,316
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               706,316
<CGS>                                          513,032
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  513,032
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               107,828
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,933
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 44,040
<INCOME-TAX>                                    16,515
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             27,525
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    27,525
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.44