<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM COMPX
INTERNATIONAL INC.'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE
MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          43,604
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   18,868
<ALLOWANCES>                                       490
<INVENTORY>                                     15,851
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                79,620
<PP&E>                                          45,450
<DEPRECIATION>                                  16,146
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 132,202
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           15,679
<BONDS>                                            261
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           161
<OTHER-SE>                                     112,927
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   132,202
<SALES>                                         32,129
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                32,129
<CGS>                                           21,393
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   21,393
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    80
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 736
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,584
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,434
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,166
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,166
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0