<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000766041
<NAME> CENTRAL SPRINKLER CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>                                 <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                               6-MOS 
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1998                 OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1998                 NOV-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-1998                 APR-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                 1.0000                       1.000
<CASH>                                           2,005                       2,005
<SECURITIES>                                     8,740                       8,740
<RECEIVABLES>                                   52,640                      52,640
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,326                       6,326
<INVENTORY>                                     52,351                      52,351
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               120,173                     120,173
<PP&E>                                          74,629                      74,629
<DEPRECIATION>                                  27,015                      27,015
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 179,306                     179,306
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           39,481                      39,481
<BONDS>                                         78,852                      78,852
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                           0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                           0
<COMMON>                                            56                          56
<OTHER-SE>                                      54,330                      54,330
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   179,306                     179,306
<SALES>                                         56,821                     110,273
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                56,821                     110,273
<CGS>                                           41,301                      79,531
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   41,301                      79,531
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                13,030                      26,417
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                           0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,255                       2,548
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,235                       1,777
<INCOME-TAX>                                       368                         544
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                867                       1,233
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                           0
<CHANGES>                                            0                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                       867                       1,233
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .26                         .38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .26                         .37
        

</TABLE>