<PAGE> 
                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                         Washington, D.C. 20549
                              FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
XX Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
   Act of 1934 (Fee required)
                For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997
                                     or
   Transition  report  pursuant  to  Section  13 or 15(d) of the Securities
   Exchange Act of 1934 (No fee required)
          For the transition period from __________ to ___________

                    Commission File No. 1-12280
                              BELDEN INC.
          (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
   Delaware                                            76-0412617
  (State or Other Jurisdiction of                      (I.R.S. Employer
  Incorporation or Organization)                       Identification No.)

                         7701 Forsyth Boulevard
                               Suite 800
                       St. Louis, Missouri 63105
     (Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)

                            (314) 854-8000
          (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                                                     Name of Each Exchange
   Title of Each Class                                  on Which Registered
Common Stock, $.01 par value                    The New York Stock Exchange
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights                 The New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirement for the past 90 days.  Yes   XX      No          

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,
to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K.                   Yes   XX      No

Exhibit Index on Page 17                               Page 1 of 17
The aggregate market value of the registrant's voting stock held by non-
affiliates of the registrant at March 16, 1998 is $1,073,239,241.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's Common Stock at March
16, 1998 is 26,163,934.

                    DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Belden Inc. Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on May 7, 1998 (the "Proxy Statement")
(incorporated by reference into Part III).

Portions of the 1997 Belden Inc. Annual Report to Shareholders (the "1997
Annual Report") (incorporated by reference into Parts I, II and IV)


                                  <PAGE>

<PAGE> 

                                  PART I

Item 1.  Business
                                  General

Belden is engaged in the design, manufacture and marketing of wire, cable
and cord products for electronics and electrical applications.  It has been
in the business of manufacturing wire and cable for over 90 years.  The
business was founded as Belden Manufacturing Company, which began
manufacturing silk insulated wire and insulated magnet wire in Chicago in
1902.  In 1980, the business was acquired by Crouse-Hinds Company and, in
1981, by Cooper Industries, Inc. ("Cooper") as part of Cooper's acquisition
of Crouse-Hinds Company.  From 1981 until July 1993, the business was
operated as an unincorporated division of Cooper.  In 1993, the business
was transferred to Belden Wire & Cable Company ("BWC"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Belden Inc., in connection with the October 6, 1993 initial
public offering by Cooper of 23,500,000 shares of common stock of Belden
Inc.  In 1995 and 1996, an additional 2,500,000 shares of common stock,
which were originally retained by Cooper, were sold to the public.  For
information regarding Belden acquisitions, see "Note 4:  Acquisitions" of
Belden's consolidated financial statements in the 1997 Annual Report,
incorporated by reference in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Belden Inc. is a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1993.  Substantially
all of its operations are conducted through BWC and its other subsidiaries. 
As used herein, unless the context otherwise requires, "Belden" and the
"Company" refer to Belden Inc. and its subsidiaries and their respective
predecessors, including the Belden Division of Cooper.

                    Markets and Products

The Company designs, manufactures and markets wire, cable and cord products
that serve the following major markets:

 -   Computer networking, computer equipment and telecommunications
 -   Audio/video including broadcast, entertainment and cable television
 -   Industrial signal, instrumentation and control
 -   Electrical equipment, including power tools, floor care equipment,
     home appliances, motor and test apparatus.

Belden meets the demands of those markets with various product
configurations, which include, for the electronic markets, multiconductor
products, coaxial cable, fiber optic cables, heat-shrinkable tubing and
wire management products; and for the electrical markets, cords and lead,
hook-up and other wire.  A description of Belden's products follows,
including the major end uses and the methods of distribution.

Multiconductor Products

A multiconductor cable consists of two or more insulated conductors that
are cabled together, individually twisted into pairs or run in a parallel
configuration as a flat cable.  Insulation may be extruded or laminated
over bare conductors, or separately insulated conductors may be bonded or
woven together.  A cable may be unshielded, have individually shielded
pairs or have an overall shield. The cable is covered with an overall
jacket.  Major end uses for these products include computer networking and
computer equipment, as well as various applications within the industrial
signal, instrumentation and control market, and the telecommunications
market.  Multiconductor product sales constituted approximately 59%, 49%
and 46% of Belden's sales in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. 

                                        -2-<PAGE>
<PAGE> 

Computer Networking.  Belden supplies both shielded and unshielded
multiconductor cables for local area network ("LAN") applications.  A LAN
links together personal computers and other computer peripheral equipment. 
Belden's multiconductor product line for the computer networking market
includes plenum cable, which is jacketed with special flame retardant
materials, and its DataTwist (R) cables for high speed transmission.  It
also includes MediaTwist (R) cables, which are multimedia cables supporting
diverse applications in video, data, and voice technologies.  Belden's
primary channels to the computer networking market include distributors,
computer original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") and systems integrators
who design and install multivendor data/voice systems.

Computer Equipment.  The computer equipment market requires various
multiconductor and flat cables for use in internal computer component
wiring and to interconnect peripheral pieces of equipment, such as
printers, to computers.  Computer hardware manufacturers also use flat
cable to interface internal components such as circuit boards, switching
devices and other active components.  Such manufacturers also use heat-
shrinkable tubing and wire management products to protect and harness wire
and cable assemblies.  Belden supplies multiconductor and flat cables, as
well as heat-shrinkable tubing and wire management products, for these
applications.  Belden's primary channels to this market are direct sales to
computer and instrumentation OEMs and sales through assembly houses and
distributors.

Industrial Signal, Instrumentation and Control.  The industrial signal,
instrumentation and control market requires a broad range of multiconductor
products for applications involving programmable controllers, robotics,
process control and computer-integrated manufacturing, as well as traffic
signal cable and cable for fire alarm, smoke detection, sprinkler control
and security systems.  Many industrial environments require cables with
exterior armor or jacketing materials that can endure exposure to
chemicals, extreme temperatures and outside elements.  Belden manufactures
and markets products that are designed for all these applications.  Belden
also manufactures electrical wire used for the industrial power markets. 
Belden sells products to the industrial signal, instrumentation and control
market primarily through wire specialist distributors and redistributors.  

Telecommunications.  The telecommunications market utilizes a broad range
of products that transmit voice and data signals through the public
telephone network.  Sophisticated digital network and switching equipment
used in many of the advanced telephone systems require specialty cable.  In
this telecommunications market, Belden manufactures and markets
multiconductor cables and sells them to U.S. telephone suppliers and
carriers as well as to national telephone systems in Europe, and to OEMs
that manufacture switching equipment sold throughout the world.  Belden has
positioned itself to be a supplier of service and distribution cable
for the telecommunication markets' "last mile" architecture systems.

Coaxial Cable

Coaxial cable consists of a central inner conductor surrounded by a
concentric outer conductor or shield.  A dielectric material separates the
two conductors and a jacket covers the overall construction.  The inner
conductor is usually copper or copper-covered steel, while the outer
conductor is usually a metallic tape or a wire braid.  Various insulating
and jacketing materials are used.  The primary applications for Belden's
coaxial cable are in audio/video markets such as broadcast, entertainment,
security and surveillance and cable television.  Belden's coaxial cable is
also used in some computer networking, computer equipment and factory floor
automation applications.  Coaxial cable sales constituted approximately
19%, 22% and 23% of Belden's sales in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. 

                                        -3-<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>

Broadcast and Entertainment.  Belden's broadcast cables are used to
distribute audio and video signals for the television, music and other
entertainment industries.  Belden primarily markets its broadcast cables
through broadcast specialty distributors and audio systems installers. 
Belden primarily markets its security and surveillance cables through
distributors.

Cable Television.  Belden manufactures flexible, copper-clad coaxial cable
used for the "drop" section of a cable television (CATV) system.  The drop
cable section distributes the signal from the "trunk" portion of the CATV
system into the home.  Belden has acquired a composite cable capability for
a combination of CATV and telephone pair to meet the changing needs of the
converging CATV and telecommunication markets.  Belden also manufactures a
copper base trunk distribution cable widely used throughout Europe meeting
local specifications within the region.

The CATV drop cable market includes both new cable installations and the
repair and replacement of existing cable.  Belden's CATV coaxial cable is
sold directly to multiple systems operators (MSO s) who operate CATV
systems throughout the world and through CATV and electronic distributors.

Computer Networking, Computer Equipment and Factory Floor Automation. 
Computer coaxial cable is used in some LAN and factory floor automation
applications and is also used to connect computer terminals to mainframes. 
Belden's channel to this market is primarily through distributors.

Fiber Optics

Fiber optic cables transmit light signals through glass or plastic fibers. 
The principal application of Belden's fiber optic cable is premises and
factory floor automation data distribution systems using multimode fiber. 
In these systems, fiber optic cables are used to provide data
communications between buildings in close proximity or to provide a
"backbone" to carry information between floors within a building.  Belden's
channels to this market include distributors and systems integrators. 
Belden also manufactures and sells fiber optic single mode cable for
applications in CATV and telecommunication markets.  These products are
used to transmit voice, data, and video signals to a subscriber network
within an area serviced either by the local telephone company or a CATV
system operator.  These sales are primarily made through both direct
relationships with the system operators and through multiple distribution
channels in the market.

Cords

A cord is a two or three-conductor cable with a molded plug on one or both
ends.  Cords are used to transmit electrical energy to power equipment or
electronic devices.  Most of Belden's cords are sold directly to OEMs for
incorporation in portable electric power tools, floor care equipment and
home appliances.  Cord products are also marketed through distributors and
appliance wholesalers.  Cord sales constituted approximately 9%, 12% and
12% of Belden's sales in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. 

Lead, Hook-up and Other Wire Products 

Lead and hook-up wire consists of single conductor wire that is used for
electrical leads in motors, internal wiring and test equipment.  Belden
sells these products primarily to OEMs that manufacture motors,
transformers, ballasts and lighting, electronic equipment and coil winders. 
Belden also markets these products through electrical apparatus parts
distributors, wire specialist distributors and electrical wholesalers.  In
Europe, Belden manufactures enamel coated wire used exclusively in the
manufacture of precision deflection coils that are used with computer video 

                                       -4-<PAGE>
<PAGE>
 
screens and television monitors.  These products are sold directly to OEMs. 
Belden also fabricates wire for components used in the production of active
and passive electronic components which provide the circuitry connections
for electronic data equipment.  These products are sold directly to the OEM
market.  Sales of lead, hook-up and other wire products constituted
approximately 11%, 13% and 15% of Belden's sales in 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.

                              Customers

Belden sells through distributors and directly to OEMs and installers of
equipment and systems. Sales to several business units of Anixter
International Inc. represented approximately 16% of total sales in 1997,
17% in 1996 and 18% in 1995.  In general, Belden's distributors are not
contractually obligated to carry the Belden product line exclusively or for
a significant period of time.  They could purchase products that compete
with Belden's products in lieu of purchasing products from Belden, and the
loss of one or more large distributors could, at least in the short-term,
have an adverse effect on the Company's results of operations.  Moreover,
adjustments to inventory levels maintained by distributors (which
adjustments may be accelerated through consolidation among distributors)
may adversely affect sales on a short-term basis. However, the Company
believes that its relationships with its distributors are satisfactory and
that the distributors choose Belden products due to, among other reasons,
the breadth of Belden's product offering and the quality and performance
characteristics of its products.  

                         International Operations

Belden's international sales consist primarily of multiconductor (including
telecommunications) and coaxial cable products for computer networking,
computer equipment and CATV and broadcast applications.  Belden's primary
channels to international markets are through distributors and direct sales
to end users.

Changes in the relative value of currencies take place from time to time
and their effects may be favorable or unfavorable on the Company's results
of operations.  Belden sometimes engages in foreign currency hedging
transactions to mitigate these effects.  For more information about
Belden's foreign currency exposure management, See "Note 2:  Summary of
Significant Accounting Policies" of Belden's consolidated financial
statements in the 1997 Annual Report, incorporated by reference in Item 8
of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  

As Belden continues to expand internationally, the increased opportunities
are accompanied by increased risks arising from economic and political
considerations in the countries served.  For example, the current economic
difficulties in the Pacific Rim will likely adversely affect sales in that
area. 

Information about Belden's foreign and domestic operations and export sales
are shown in "Note 18: Industry Segments, Major Customers and Geographic
Information" of Belden's consolidated financial statements in the 1997
Annual Report, incorporated by reference in Item 8 of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.

                              Competition

Belden faces substantial competition in its major markets.  The number and
size of Belden's competitors varies depending on the product line. 
However, competition can be generally categorized as highly competitive
with many players.  Primary competition is either global in scope with
competitors that have substantial financial, engineering, manufacturing and 

                                        -5-<PAGE>
<PAGE>
 
marketing resources, or regional in scope with competitors that have more
limited product offerings with price as the differentiating feature.  In
recent years, competition has been further stimulated by the addition of
several large wire and cable companies to the public marketplace through
initial public offerings. 

The principal competitive factors in all product markets are availability,
customer support, distribution coverage, price and product features.  The
relative importance of each of these factors varies depending on the
specific product category.  

Some of the Company's competitors have greater financial, engineering,
manufacturing and other resources than the Company.  The Company's
competitors can be expected to continue to improve the design and
performance of their products and to introduce new products with
competitive price and performance characteristics.  Although the Company
believes that it has certain technological and other advantages over its
competitors, realizing and maintaining such advantages will require
continued investment by the Company in engineering, research and
development, marketing and customer service and support.  There can be no
assurance that the Company will continue to make such investments or that
the Company will be successful in maintaining such advantages.  

                         Research and Development

The Company engages in a continuing research and development program,
including new and existing product development, testing and analysis;
process and equipment development and testing; and compound materials
development and testing.  For information about the amount spent on
research and development, see "Note 2:  Summary of Significant Accounting
Policies" of Belden's consolidated financial statements in the 1997 Annual
Report, incorporated by reference in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form
10-K.

                         Patents and Trademarks

The Company has a policy of seeking patents when appropriate on inventions
concerning new products, product improvements and process and equipment
development as part of its ongoing research, development and manufacturing
activities.  The Company owns numerous patents and registered trademarks
worldwide, with numerous others for which applications are pending. 
Although in the aggregate its patents and trademarks are of considerable
importance to the manufacturing and marketing of many of its products, the
Company does not consider any single patent or trademark or group of
patents or trademarks to be material to its business as a whole, except for
the Belden (R) trademark.  The Company has the right to use the Belden (R)
trademark in connection with all of its current products.  The Company,
however, has granted to Cooper the exclusive royalty-free right to use the
Belden (R) trademark for wire and cable products in the automotive markets
and certain other markets in which the Company does not currently compete. 
Other important trademarks used by Belden include DataTwist (R), 
MediaTwist (R), Flamarrest (R), UnReel (R), Duobond (R), Beldfoil (R),
Conformable (R), Pope (R), Alpha (R), FIT (R) and XTRA GUARD (R).

                              Raw Materials

The principal raw material used in many of Belden's products is copper. The
Company has a copper hedging policy that attempts to match the period of
the futures contract with the estimated time required to reflect the change
in copper cost in the sales price of the Company's products. For additional
information, see "Note 2:  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" and
"Note 15: Commitments" of Belden's consolidated financial statements in the  

                                        -6-<PAGE>
<PAGE>
 
1997 Annual Report, incorporated by reference in Item 8 of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K.

Other raw materials used by Belden include Teflon (R) FEP and other
insulating materials such as plastic and rubber, shielding tape, plywood
reels, corrugated cartons, aluminum and optical fiber.  With respect to all
major raw materials used by the Company, Belden generally has either
alternative sources of supply or access to alternative materials.  Supplies
of these materials are generally adequate and are expected to remain so for
the foreseeable future, with the exception of Teflon (R) FEP which is in
tight supply.  Because of patents owned by others and high capital
requirements, the Company does not currently manufacture its own optical
fibers, but purchases its requirements from others.  There is currently a
limited number of manufacturers of optical glass fiber.

Belden sources a minor percentage of its finished products from a network
of manufacturers under private label agreements, and resells these products
under various names, especially Alpha Wire Company.

                                   Backlog

The Company's business is characterized by short-term order and shipment
schedules rather than volume purchase contracts.  Accordingly, the Company
does not consider backlog at any given date to be indicative of future
sales.  The Company's backlog consists of product orders for which a
customer purchase order has been received or a customer purchase order
number has been communicated and which are scheduled for shipment within
six months.  Orders are subject to cancellation or rescheduling by the
customer, generally with a cancellation charge.  At December 31, 1997, the
Company's backlog of orders believed to be firm was $67.8 million compared
to $50.2 million at December 31, 1996.  The Company believes that all such
backlog will be filled in 1998.

                           Environmental Matters

The Company is subject to numerous federal, state, local and foreign laws
and regulations relating to the storage, handling, emission and discharge
of materials into the environment, including the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act ("CERCLA"), the
Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act (including the 1990 amendments) and the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.  The Company believes that its
existing environmental control procedures are adequate and it has no
current plans for substantial capital expenditures in this area.

A former Belden facility in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts was sold to a third
party in 1992, but Belden has agreed to indemnify the buyer for certain
preexisting environmental liabilities, principally caused by a former
owner.  Soil and groundwater contamination has been identified, and the
groundwater contamination extends to the property line in one direction. 
Additional investigation as well as soil and groundwater remediation will
be necessary.  The Company has recorded a liability for the remaining
costs, which is currently estimated at approximately $750,000.

The facility in Venlo, The Netherlands was acquired in 1995 from Philips
Electronics N.V.  Soil and goundwater contamination were identified on the
site as a result of material handling and past storage practices.  Various
soil and groundwater assessments are being performed, and some form of
remediation will be necessary.  The Company has recorded a liability for
the costs, which are currently estimated at approximately $1,000,000.

The Company has been identified as a potentially responsible party ("PRP")
with respect to five sites designated for cleanup under CERCLA or similar
state laws, which impose liability for cleanup of certain waste sites and 

                                        -7-<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>

for related natural resource damages without regard to fault or the
legality of waste generation or disposal.  Persons liable for such costs
and damages generally include the site owner or operator and persons that
disposed or arranged for the disposal of hazardous substances found at
those sites.  Although CERCLA imposes joint and several liability on all
PRPs, in application, the PRPs typically allocate the investigation and
cleanup costs based upon the volume of waste contributed by each PRP. 
Settlements can often be achieved through negotiations with the appropriate
environmental agency or the other PRPs.  PRPs that contributed less than 1%
of the waste are often given the opportunity to settle as "de minimis"
parties, resolving their liability for a particular site.  The number of
sites with respect to which the Company has been identified as a PRP has
decreased in part as a result of "de minimis" settlements.

Belden does not own or operate any of the five waste sites with respect to
which it has been identified as a PRP.  In each case, Belden is identified
as a party that disposed of waste at the site. With respect to four of the
sites, Belden's share of the waste volume is estimated to be less than 1%. 
At the fifth site, Belden contributed less than 10% of the waste.  Although
no estimates of cleanup costs have yet been completed for most of these
sites, the Company believes, based on its preliminary review and other
factors, including its estimated share of the waste volume at the sites,
that the costs to the Company relating to these sites will not have a
material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial
condition.  The Company has an accrued liability on its balance sheet to
the extent such costs are known and estimable for such sites.

The Company does not currently anticipate any material adverse effect on
its results of operations, financial condition or competitive position as a
result of compliance with federal, state, local or foreign environmental
laws or regulations or cleanup costs of the sites discussed above. 
However, some risk of environmental liability and other costs is inherent
in the nature of the Company's business, and there can be no assurance that
material environmental costs will not arise.  Moreover, it is possible that
future developments, such as increasingly strict requirements of
environmental laws and enforcement policies thereunder, could lead to
material costs of environmental compliance and cleanup by the Company.

                                   Employees

As of December 31, 1997, the Company had approximately 4,500 full-time
employees.

           Importance of New Products and Product Improvements;
           Impact of Technological Change; Impact of Acquisitions

Many of the markets that Belden serves are characterized by advances in
information processing and communications capabilities, including advances
driven by the expansion of digital technology, which require increased
transmission speeds and greater bandwidth.  These trends require ongoing
improvements in the capabilities of wire and cable products.  The Company
believes that its future success will depend in part upon its ability to
enhance existing products and to develop and manufacture new products that
meet or anticipate such changes.  The failure to introduce successfully new
or enhanced products on a timely and cost-competitive basis could have an
adverse impact on the Company's operations and financial condition.

Fiber optic technology presents a potential substitute for the copper-based
products that comprise the vast majority of Belden's sales.  Fiber optic
cables have not to date significantly penetrated the markets served by
Belden due to the high relative cost required to interface electronic and
light signals and the high cost of fiber termination and connection.  At
the same time, advances in data transmission equipment and copper cable 

                                       -8-<PAGE>
<PAGE>
 
technologies have increased the relative performance of copper solutions. 
For example, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) technology using copper cable
may further improve the attractiveness of copper-based solutions.  However,
a significant decrease in the cost of fiber optic systems relative to the
cost of copper-based systems could make such systems superior on a
price/performance basis to copper systems.  While the Company has been a
fiber optic cable supplier in niche, specialty markets since 1976, such a
significant relative decrease in the cost of fiber optic systems could have
an adverse effect on the Company.

Wireless communications technology may represent a threat to both copper
and fiber optic-based systems by reducing the need for premise wiring. 
Belden believes that the reduced signal security and the relatively slow
transmission speeds of current systems restrict the use of wireless systems
in many data communications markets.  However, there are no assurances that
future advances in wireless technology may not have an adverse effect on
the Company's business.

The Company also does not presently anticipate that the commercialization
of video delivery technology -- direct broadcast technology ("DBS") -- will
have a  material adverse effect on its CATV drop cable business.  With DBS,
a small satellite dish antenna is placed on the roof of a subscriber's
facility.  DBS does not require wiring from a central location to each
subscriber, as does a CATV system.  The Company sells cables that meet the
requirements of a DBS system, specifically the cable that connects the DBS
satellite dish antenna with a subscriber's home or business television set.

The telecommunications legislation enacted in recent years presents
uncertainties and opportunities in the CATV area.  The Company believes
that this legislation and uncertainties regarding telecommunication network
architectures resulted in a delay in spending by CATV product end users
during 1997.

Continued strategic acquisitions are an announced part of Belden's future
strategy, and as discussed in the Notes to the financial statements in the
1997 Annual Report (incorporated by reference in Item 8 of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K), the Company has completed five acquisitions in 1995,
1996 and 1997.  However, there can be no assurance that future acquisitions
will occur or that those that do occur will be successful.  In particular,
the addition of several large wire and cable companies to the public
marketplace in recent years through initial public offerings has increased
competition for acquisition candidates. 

                                       -9-<PAGE>
<PAGE>
 
Executive Officers

The following sets forth certain information with respect to Belden's
executive officers as of December 31, 1997.  All executive officers are
elected to terms which expire at the organizational meeting of the Board of
Directors following the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.


                Name             Age              Position

       C. Baker Cunningham       56     Chairman of the Board,
                                        President, Chief Executive
                                        Officer and Director

       Richard K. Reece          41     Vice President, Finance,
                                        Treasurer and Chief
                                        Financial Officer

       Peter J. Wickman          48     Vice President, Operations


       Kevin L. Bloomfield       46     Vice President, Secretary
                                        and General Counsel

       Cathy O. Staples          47     Vice President, Human
                                        Resources


C. Baker Cunningham has been Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company since 1993.  From February 1982 until July 1993, he
was an Executive Vice President, Operations of Cooper, a manufacturer of
electrical equipment, tools and hardware, and automotive products.  Mr.
Cunningham has a B.S. degree in civil engineering from Washington
University, an M.S. degree in civil engineering from Georgia Tech and an
M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School.

Richard K. Reece has been Vice President, Finance, Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer of the Company since August 1, 1993.  He was associated
with the public accounting firm of Ernst & Young, LLP from 1978 until June
1993 and was a partner with that firm since 1989.  He has a B.S. degree in
accounting from Auburn University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Peter J. Wickman has been Vice President, Operations of the Company since
1993.  He was Vice President, Finance and Planning for the Belden Division
of Cooper from 1989 to July 1993.  He was Controller of Cooper's Bussmann
Division from 1983 to 1989.  Mr. Wickman has a B.S. degree in accounting
from Walton School of Commerce and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Kevin L. Bloomfield has been Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
of the Company since August 1, 1993.  He was Senior Counsel for Cooper from
February 1987 to July 1993, and had been in Cooper's Law Department from
1981 to 1993.  He has a B.A. degree in economics and a J.D. degree from the
University of Cincinnati and an M.B.A. from Ohio State University.

Cathy Odom Staples has been Vice President, Human Resources of the Company
since May 1997. She was Vice President, Human Resources for the Electronic
Products Division of the Company from May 1992 to May 1997.  Ms. Staples
has a B.S.B.A degree in human resources from Drake University. 

                                        -10-<PAGE>
<PAGE> 

Item 2.  Properties

Belden has an executive office and various manufacturing plants,
distribution centers and sales offices.  The significant facilities as of
February 25, 1998 are as follows:
                                                     Owned
                                            Square     Or
  Location           Facility Type           Feet    Leased

St. Louis,          Executive Office         7,466   Leased
Missouri

Richmond, Indiana   Sales and               53,575   Owned
                    Administrative
                    Office

Carmel, Indiana     Sales and               11,077   Leased
                    Administrative
                    Office

Richmond, Indiana   Engineering Center      70,000   Owned

Richmond, Indiana   Manufacturing          693,372   Owned
                    electronics wire &
                    cable

Richmond, Indiana   Distribution Center    145,000   Owned

Nogales, Arizona    Distribution Center     10,000   Leased

Clinton, Arkansas   Manufacturing          133,000   Owned
                    electrical cords

Monticello,         Manufacturing          222,800   Owned
 Kentucky           electronics wire &
                    cable

Tompkinsville,      Manufacturing          228,800   Owned
 Kentucky           electronics wire &
                    cable and flat cable

Hudson,             Manufacturing          215,000   Leased
 Massachusetts      electronics wire & 
                    cable

Leominster,         Manufacturing            61,200  Leased
 Massachusetts      electronics wire & 
                    cable  
 
Elizabeth, New      Sales and                 7,064  Owned
 Jersey             Administrative
                    Office

Elizabeth, New      Distribution Center     197,250  Owned
 Jersey

Charlotte, North    Manufacturing            96,000  Leased
 Carolina           electronics wire &
                    cable and fiber
                    optics cable

Franklin, North     Manufacturing           101,800  Owned
 Carolina           electrical cords

Essex Junction,     Manufacturing high       77,400  Owned
 Vermont            temperature
                    electronics wire &
                    cable  

Cobourg, Ontario,   Manufacturing           215,000   Owned
 Canada             electrical &
                    electronics wire &
                    cable; Sales Office
                    and Distribution
                    Center

Neuss, Germany      Sales Office             37,600   Leased
 
Venlo, The          Manufacturing           585,000   Owned
 Netherlands        electronics wire &
                    cable and fiber
                    optics cable;
                    Warehouse; and Sales
                    and Administrative
                    Office

Hermosillo,         Manufacturing            65,000   Leased
 Mexico             electrical cords and
                    Warehouse 

                                        -11-<PAGE>
<PAGE> 

The Company believes its physical facilities are suitable for their present
and intended purposes and adequate for the Company's current level of
operations.  

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

In August 1996, Furon Company filed a lawsuit against BWC in the U.S.
District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (Eastern Division),
claiming that BWC manufactures a plenum-type cable that infringes a Furon
patent, and seeking damages and an injunction.  Presently, the parties are
going through pre-trial discovery, which should continue through the year. 
The court has not assigned the matter for trial.  Furon has sued several
other wire and cable manufacturers on similar grounds.  

To be patentable, an invention must be new, useful and non-obvious.  The
Company is investigating several ways to show that the Furon patent is
invalid due to prior art.  The Company intends to vigorously defend its
position. While neither the timing nor the amount of the ultimate liability
associated with this matter can be determined with certainty, based on
information currently available to the Company and the current status of
the Company s investigation of the matter and other factors, the Company
presently believes that it is unlikely that the outcome of this matter will
have a material adverse effect on the Company.

The Company is also a party to various legal proceedings and administrative
actions which are incidental to the operations of the Company.  In the
opinion of the Company's management, such proceedings and actions should
not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on
the Company's results of operations or financial condition.

See "Item 1. Business   Environmental Matters" regarding certain
proceedings arising under environmental laws.

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

During the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report, no
matters were submitted to a vote of security holders of the Company.


                                  PART II

Item  5.    Market  for  Registrant's Common Equity and Related Shareholder
Matters

At March 16, 1998, there were 1249 record holders of Common Stock of Belden
Inc.

The  additional  information  required  by Item 5 is incorporated herein by
reference  to  page  55 of the 1997 Annual Report.  The Company anticipates
that  comparable cash dividends will continue to be paid in the foreseeable
future.

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

Incorporated herein by reference to page 29 of the 1997 Annual Report.

Item  7.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations

Incorporated  herein by reference to pages 30 through 36 of the 1997 Annual
Report. 

                                        -12-<PAGE>
<PAGE>
 
Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Incorporated  herein by reference to pages 38 through 54 of the 1997 Annual
Report.

Item  9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure

None.


                                  PART III

Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

Information  regarding  directors  is  incorporated  herein by reference to
"Matters  to  Come  Before  the  Meeting,"  pages  2 through 4 of the Proxy
Statement.  Information regarding executive officers is set forth in Part I
at pages 10 herein under the heading "Executive Officers."

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

Incorporated herein by reference to "Compensation of Directors", "Executive
Compensation"  and "Stock Price Performance Graph", pages 7-14 of the Proxy
Statement.

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

Incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  "Stock Ownership of Management and
Certain Beneficial Owners," pages 5-7 of the Proxy Statement.

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

Incorporated  herein  by reference to "Other Matters", page 14 of the Proxy
Statement.


                                  PART IV

Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)  1.  Financial  Statements  (located  on  the pages in the 1997 Annual
         Report shown below).

                                                                   Page No.
                                                            1997 Annual Report

     Report of Independent Auditors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
     Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1997
        and December 31, 1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
     Consolidated Income Statements for Each of the Three Years
        in the Period Ended December 31, 1997 . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
     Consolidated Cash Flow Statements for Each of the Three Years 
        in the Period Ended December 31, 1997 . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
     Consolidated Stockholders' Equity Statements for Each of the 
        Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 1997 . . . . . . 41
     Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . .42-54

With the exception of the financial statements and other financial data and
other information listed above or incorporated by reference under other
Items of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the 1997 Annual Report is not
filed as part of this Annual Report.  Financial statement schedules not
included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been omitted because they 

                                         -13-<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>

are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial
statements or notes thereto.

   3.   Exhibits.  The following exhibits are filed herewith or
incorporated herein by reference.  Documents indicated by an asterisk (*)
are filed herewith; documents indicated by a double asterisk identify each
management contract or compensatory plan.  Documents not indicated by an
asterisk are incorporated herein by reference to the document indicated. 
References to (i) the "Registration Statement" are to the Belden Inc.
Registration Statement on Form S-1, File Number 33-66830, (ii) the "Form
10-Q" are to the Belden Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter
ended September 30, 1993, File Number 1-12280, (iii) the "Form 10-Q, Second
Quarter, 1994" are to the Belden Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
Quarter ended June 30, 1994, File Number 1-12280, (iv) the "Form 8-K" are
to the Belden Inc. Report on Form 8-K,  filed with the Commission on April
17, 1995, File Number 1-12280, (v) the "Form 8-A" are to the Belden Inc.
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission and effective
on July 25, 1995, (vi) the "Amendment to Form S-8" are to the Belden Inc.
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 of Form S-8 Registration Statement, filed
with the Commission on October 23, 1995, File Number 33-66830, (vii) the
"Form 10-K 1995" are to the Belden Inc. Report on Form 10-K for 1995, File
Number 1-12280, (viii) the "Form 10-Q, Third Quarter, 1996" are to the
Belden Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended September
30, 1996, File Number 1-12280, (ix) the "Form S-8" are to the Belden Inc.
Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed in connection with the Belden
Inc. Non-Employee Director Stock Plan, File Number 333-11071, (x) the "Form
8-K, January 1997" are to the Belden Inc. Report on Form 8-K, filed with
the Commission on January 23, 1997, File Number 1-12280, and (xi) the  Form
10-K 1996  are to the Belden Inc. Report on Form 10-K for 1996, File Number
1-12280.

 Exhibit No.                  Description

    2.1   Stock Purchase Agreement, dated April 3, 1995, among PCW
          Beheermaatschappij B.V., Philips Electronics N.V., Belden Inc.
          and Belden Europe B.V. for the purchase of Pope Cable and Wire
          B.V. (Exhibit 2 to Form 8-K)
    2.2   Asset Purchase Agreement, dated October 21, 1996, between Belden
          Wire & Cable Company and Intech Cable, Inc. (Exhibit 10.1 to Form
          10-Q, Third Quarter, 1996)
    2.3   Asset Purchase Agreement, dated November 21, 1996, between Belden
          Wire & Cable Company and Alpha Wire Corporation, and Asset
          Purchase Agreement/U.K. Assets dated January 7, 1997 between
          Belden U.K. Limited and Alpha Wire Limited (Exhibits 2.1 and 2.2
          to Form 8-K, January 1997)
    3.1   Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (Exhibit 3.1 to
          Registration Statement)
    3.2   Bylaws of the Company (Exhibit 3.2 to Registration Statement)
    4.1   Specimen Common Stock Certificate (Exhibit 4.1 to Form 10-K 1995) 
*   4.2   Amendment to Specimen Common Stock Certificate
    4.3   Rights Agreement, dated as of July 6, 1995, between Belden Inc.
          and First Chicago Trust Company of New York, as Rights Agent;
          ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C. has superseded First
          Chicago Trust Company of New York as Rights Agent (Exhibit 1 to
          Form 8-A) 

                                         -14-<PAGE>
 
<PAGE>

*   4.4   Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 1, 1997, providing
          for up to $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes
          issuable in series, with an initial series of Senior Notes in the
          aggregate principal amount of $75,000,000, between Belden Inc. as
          issuer and, as purchasers, Aid Association for Lutherans; Mutual
          of Omaha Insurance Company; United of Omaha Life Insurance
          Company; Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company; State Farm Life
          Insurance Company; Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company;
          Nippon Life Insurance Company of America; and Berkshire Life
          Insurance Company 
*   4.5   Guaranty of Belden Wire & Cable Company, the form of which is
          included as Exhibit 1.1-B to the Note Purchase Agreement listed
          above as Exhibit 4.4
   10.1   Asset Transfer Agreement by and between Cooper Industries, Inc.
          and Belden Wire & Cable Company, with schedules and exhibits
          thereto (Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q)
   10.2   Canadian Asset Transfer Agreement by and between Cooper
          Industries (Canada) Inc. and Belden (Canada) Inc. (Exhibit 10.11
          to Form 10-Q)
   10.3   Trademark License Agreement by and between Belden Wire & Cable
          Company and Cooper Industries, Inc. (Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q)
   10.4   Stock Agreement by and between Cooper Industries, Inc. and Belden
          Inc. (Exhibit 10.4 to Form 10-Q) 
   10.5   Tax Sharing and Separation Agreement by and among Belden Inc.,
          Cooper Industries, Inc., and Belden Wire & Cable Company (Exhibit
          10.6 to Form 10-Q) 
** 10.6   Non-Employee Director Stock Plan (Exhibit 4.5 to Form S-8)
** 10.7   Change of Control Agreements, dated as of August 16, 1996,
          between Belden Inc. and each of C. Baker Cunningham, Richard K.
          Reece, Peter J. Wickman and Kevin L. Bloomfield (Exhibit 10.3 to
          Form 10-Q, Third Quarter, 1996)
***10.8   Trust  Agreement ("Rabbi Trust"), dated January 1, 1998 , between
          Belden Wire & Cable Company and Bankers Trust Company
** 10.9   Belden  Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q,
          Second Quarter, 1994) 
***10.10  Amendment to Belden Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan
** 10.11  Belden  Inc.  Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan,  as restated as of
          August 4, 1995 (Exhibit 99.1 to Amendment to Form S-8) 
** 10.12  Belden  Wire  & Cable Company Supplemental Excess Defined Benefit
          Plan (Exhibit 10.11 to Registration Statement) 
** 10.13  Belden Wire & Cable Company Supplemental Excess Defined
          Contribution Plan (Exhibit 10.15 to Registration Statement)
** 10.14  Indemnification Agreements entered into between Belden Inc. and
          each of its directors and executive officers as of October 6,
          1993 (Exhibit 10.10 to Form 10-Q)
***10.15  Indemnification Agreements entered into between Belden Inc. and
          each of Christopher I. Byrnes, Bernard G. Rethore and John R.
          DallePezze dated November 14, 1995, February 27, 1997 and May 1,
          1997, respectively
   10.16  Credit Agreement, dated as of November 18, 1996, among Belden
          Wire & Cable Company, Bank of America National Trust and Savings
          Association, NationsBank, N.A., Royal Bank of Canada, Wachovia
          Bank of Georgia, N.A., ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Chicago Branch, The 
          Northern Trust Company and Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft, 
          Grand Cayman Branch (Exhibit 10.14 to 10-K 1996)
   10.17  Guaranty of Belden Inc., the form of which is included as Exhibit
          D to the Credit Agreement listed above as Exhibit 10.16 (Exhibit
          10.15 to 10-K 1996)
*  13.1   Belden Inc. 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders (to the extent
          incorporated herein by reference)
*  21.1   List of Subsidiaries of Belden Inc.
*  23.1   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP 

                                         -15-<PAGE>
<PAGE>
 
*  24.1   Powers of Attorney from Members of the Board of Directors of
          Belden Inc.
*  27.1   Financial Data Schedule
*  99.1   Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held
          on May 7, 1998 

Copies of the above Exhibits are available to shareholders at a charge of
$.25 per page, minimum order of $10.00.  Direct requests to:

               Belden Inc., Attention:  Secretary
               7701 Forsyth Boulevard, Suite 800
               St. Louis, Missouri 63105

   (b)    Reports on Form 8-K.  No reports on Form 8-K were filed during
          the last quarter of 1997.

                                 Signatures

Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of  Section  13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange  Act  of  1934,  the  registrant has duly caused this report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                   BELDEN INC.


                                   By: /s/ C. Baker Cunningham
                                        C. Baker Cunningham
                                        Chairman of the Board, President,
                                        Chief Executive Officer  
Date:  March 24, 1998                   and Director

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

/s/ C. BAKER CUNNINGHAM  President, Chairman of the Board    March 24, 1998
C. Baker Cunningham           Chief Executive Officer 
                              and Director

/s/ RICHARD K. REECE     Vice President, Finance, Treasurer  March 24, 1998
Richard K. Reece              and Chief Financial Officer
                         (Mr. Reece also is the Company's
                         Chief Accounting Officer)

/s/ LORNE D. BAIN *      Director                            March 24, 1998
Lorne D. Bain

/s/ JOSEPH R. COPPOLA*   Director                            March 24, 1998
Joseph R. Coppola

/s/ ALAN E. RIEDEL*      Director                            March 24, 1998
Alan E. Riedel

/s/ BERNARD G. RETHORE*  Director                            March 24, 1998
Bernard G. Rethore

/s/CHRISTOPHER I.BYRNES* Director                            March 24, 1998
Christopher I. Byrnes

/s/ JOHN R. DALLEPEZZE*  Director                            March 24, 1998
John R. Dallepezze 


/s/ C. Baker Cunningham
*By C. Baker Cunningham, Attorney-in-fact

                                        -16-<PAGE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                         Index to Exhibits


<CAPTION>
                                                                           Sequentially
   Exhibit                                                                   Numbered
   Number                                                                      Pages
                                                                             <C>
    <S>   <C>                     
    2.1   Stock Purchase Agreement, dated April 3, 1995, among PCW
          Beheermaatschappij B.V., Philips Electronics N.V., Belden Inc.
          and Belden Europe B.V. for the purchase of Pope Cable and Wire
          B.V. (Exhibit 2 to Form 8-K)
    2.2   Asset Purchase Agreement, dated October 21, 1996, between Belden
          Wire & Cable Company and Intech Cable, Inc. (Exhibit 10.1 to Form
          10-Q, Third Quarter, 1996)
    2.3   Asset Purchase Agreement, dated November 21, 1996, between Belden
          Wire & Cable Company and Alpha Wire Corporation, and Asset
          Purchase Agreement/U.K. Assets dated January 7, 1997 between
          Belden U.K. Limited and Alpha Wire Limited (Exhibits 2.1 and 2.2
          to Form 8-K, January 1997)
    3.1   Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (Exhibit 3.1 to
          Registration Statement)
    3.2   Bylaws of the Company (Exhibit 3.2 to Registration Statement)
    4.1   Specimen Common Stock Certificate (Exhibit 4.1 to Form 10-K 1995) 
*   4.2   Amendment to Specimen Common Stock Certificate
    4.3   Rights Agreement, dated as of July 6, 1995, between Belden Inc.
          and First Chicago Trust Company of New York, as Rights Agent;
          ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C. has superseded First
          Chicago Trust Company of New York as Rights Agent (Exhibit 1 to
          Form 8-A)
*   4.4   Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 1, 1997, providing
          for up to $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes
          issuable in series, with an initial series of Senior Notes in the
          aggregate principal amount of $75,000,000, between Belden Inc. as
          issuer and, as purchasers, Aid Association for Lutherans; Mutual
          of Omaha Insurance Company; United of Omaha Life Insurance
          Company; Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company; State Farm Life
          Insurance Company; Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company;
          Nippon Life Insurance Company of America; and Berkshire Life
          Insurance Company 
*   4.5   Guaranty of Belden Wire & Cable Company, the form of which is
          included as Exhibit 1.1-B to the Note Purchase Agreement listed
          above as Exhibit 4.4
   10.1   Asset  Transfer  Agreement by and between Cooper Industries, Inc.
          and  Belden  Wire  &  Cable  Company, with schedules and exhibits
          thereto (Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q)
   10.2   C a n adian  Asset  Transfer  Agreement  by  and  between  Cooper
          Industries  (Canada) Inc. and Belden (Canada) Inc. (Exhibit 10.11
          to Form 10-Q)
   10.3   Trademark  License  Agreement  by and between Belden Wire & Cable
          Company and Cooper Industries, Inc. (Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q)
   10.4   Stock Agreement by and between Cooper Industries, Inc. and Belden
          Inc. (Exhibit 10.4 to Form 10-Q) 
   10.5   Tax  Sharing  and  Separation Agreement by and among Belden Inc.,
          Cooper Industries, Inc., and Belden Wire & Cable Company (Exhibit
          10.6 to Form 10-Q) 
** 10.6   Non-Employee Director Stock Plan (Exhibit 4.5 to Form S-8)
** 10.7   Change of Control Agreements, dated as of August 16, 1996,
          between Belden Inc. and each of C. Baker Cunningham, Richard K.
          Reece, Peter J. Wickman and Kevin L. Bloomfield (Exhibit 10.3 to
          Form 10-Q, Third Quarter, 1996)
***10.8   Trust Agreement ("Rabbi Trust"), dated January 1, 1998, between
          Belden Wire & Cable Company and Bankers Trust Company
** 10.9   Belden Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q,
          Second Quarter, 1994) 
***10.10  Amendment to Belden Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan
** 10.11  Belden Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as restated as of
          August 4, 1995 (Exhibit 99.1 to Amendment to Form S-8) 
** 10.12  Belden Wire & Cable Company Supplemental Excess Defined Benefit
          Plan (Exhibit 10.11 to Registration Statement) 
** 10.13  Belden Wire & Cable Company Supplemental Excess Defined
          Contribution Plan (Exhibit 10.15 to Registration Statement)
** 10.14  Indemnification Agreements entered into between Belden Inc. and
          each of its directors and executive officers as of October 6,
          1993 (Exhibit 10.10 to Form 10-Q)
***10.15  Indemnification Agreements entered into between Belden Inc. and
          each of Christopher I. Byrnes, Bernard G. Rethore and John R.
          DallePezze dated November 14, 1995, February 27, 1997 and May 1,
          1997, respectively
   10.16  Credit Agreement, dated as of November 18, 1996, among Belden
          Wire & Cable Company, Bank of America National Trust and Savings
          Association, NationsBank, N.A., Royal Bank of Canada, Wachovia
          Bank of Georgia, N.A., The Boatmen's National Bank of St. Louis,
          ABN AMRO Bank N.V., The Northern Trust Company and Commerzbank
          Aktiengesellschaft, Grand Cayman Branch (Exhibit 10.14 to 10-K
          1996)
   10.17  Guaranty of Belden Inc., the form of which is included as Exhibit
          D to the Credit Agreement listed above as Exhibit 10.16 (Exhibit
          10.15 to 10-K 1996) 
*  13.1   Belden Inc. 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders (to the extent
          incorporated herein by reference)
*  21.1   List of Subsidiaries of Belden Inc.
*  23.1   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
*  24.1   Powers of Attorney from Members of the Board of Directors of
          Belden Inc.
*  27.1   Financial Data Schedule
*  99.1   Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held
          on May 7, 1998 

*Filed herewith.  Documents not indicated by an asterisk (*) are
incorporated herein by reference. 

                                        -17-<PAGE>


</TABLE>