<TABLE> <S> <C>

       
<ARTICLE>                                                              5

<LEGEND>                      This information contains summary financial
                              information extracted from Stant Corporation's
                              annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                              12-31-96 and is qualified in its entirety by 
                              reference to such Form 10-K
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                                         0000906523
<NAME>                                                 Stant Corporation
<MULTIPLIER>                                                       1,000
<S>                                                          <C>    
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                     12-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                            Dec-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                                Jan-1-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                 Dec-31-1996
<CASH>                                                             3,293
<SECURITIES>                                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                    112,872
<ALLOWANCES>                                                           0
<INVENTORY>                                                       95,359
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                 224,683
<PP&E>                                                           260,369
<DEPRECIATION>                                                    73,117
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   581,571
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                            146,115
<BONDS>                                                          187,533
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                                            0
<COMMON>                                                             162
<OTHER-SE>                                                       200,400
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     581,571
<SALES>                                                          657,067
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                 657,067
<CGS>                                                            490,103
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                    490,103
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                18,516
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                   38,769
<INCOME-TAX>                                                      17,350
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                               21,419
<DISCONTINUED>                                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                        0
<CHANGES>                                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                                      21,419
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                       1.28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                       1.26

        


</TABLE>