<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION  ORINGINALLY EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTERLY  PERIODS ENDED MARCH 27, 1997, JUNE 26, 1997 AND SEPTEMBER 25,
1997 AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY BY  REFERENCE  TO SUCH FORMS 10-Q.  THE
AMOUNTS  PRESENTED FOR EARNINGS PER SHARE HAVE BEEN RESTATED IN ACCORDANCE  WITH
SFAS NO. 128,  "EARNINGS  PER  SHARE,"  WHICH WAS ADOPTED BY THE COMPANY FOR THE
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND FOR ALL APPLICABLE PRIOR PERIODS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                       0000200243
<NAME>                        ARTRA GROUP INCORPORATED
<MULTIPLIER>                                     1,000
<CURRENCY>                                     dollars

<S>                             <C>                         <C>                      <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-mos                     6-mos                      9-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1997               DEC-31-1997                DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                            DEC-27-1996               DEC-27-1996                DEC-27-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              MAR-27-1997               JUN-26-1997                SEP-25-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                               1.000                     1.000                      1.000
<CASH>                                           48                       226                        291
<SECURITIES>                                      0                         0                     12,845
<RECEIVABLES>                                 9,721                    10,794                     10,833
<ALLOWANCES>                                    497                       205                        227
<INVENTORY>                                  19,356                    18,241                     16,270
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             44,225                    42,271                     42,521
<PP&E>                                       47,678                    48,305                     48,859
<DEPRECIATION>                               21,464                    22,469                     23,493
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               74,633                    72,604                     72,028
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        50,592                    56,890                     60,374
<BONDS>                                           0                         0                          0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                         8,895                     9,124                      8,878
<PREFERRED>                                       0                         0                          0
<COMMON>                                      5,920                     5,920                      5,955
<OTHER-SE>                                  (36,332)                  (43,331)                   (51,462)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 74,633                    72,604                     72,028
<SALES>                                      28,461                    60,274                     92,599
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             28,461                    60,274                     92,599
<CGS>                                        22,394                    48,113                     74,498
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                22,394                    48,113                     74,498
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              7,621                    10,468                     15,625
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  0                         0                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            2,503                     5,494                      8,700
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (1,554)                   (3,801)                    (6,224)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (201)                      (41)                      (153)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (1,353)                   (3,842)                    (6,071)
<DISCONTINUED>                                    0                         0                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   0                         0                          0
<CHANGES>                                         0                         0                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (1,353)                   (3,842)                    (6,071)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (.21)                     (.56)                      (.87)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (.21)                     (.56)                      (.87)



</TABLE>