<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000215310 <NAME> BMC INDUSTRIES, INC <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1999 <CASH> 943 <SECURITIES> 4 <RECEIVABLES> 59,882 <ALLOWANCES> 7,011 <INVENTORY> 86,137 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 166,813 <PP&E> 273,173 <DEPRECIATION> 118,830 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 404,725 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 67,492 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 48,667 <OTHER-SE> 89,125 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 404,725 <SALES> 177,984 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 177,954 <CGS> 146,944 <TOTAL-COSTS> 12,083 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (459) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6,873 <INCOME-PRETAX> 12,629 <INCOME-TAX> 4,431 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 8,198 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 8,198 <EPS-BASIC> 0.30 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.30