<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR
ENDED  DECEMBER  31, 1997 AND IS  QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FORM 10-K.  THE AMOUNTS  PRESENTED  FOR  EARNINGS  PER SHARE FOR THE YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 26, 1996 AND DECEMBER 28, 1995 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.

</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                       0000200243
<NAME>                        ARTRA GROUP INCORPORATED
<MULTIPLIER>                                     1,000
<CURRENCY>                                     dollars

<S>                           <C>                        <C>                       <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                 12-mos                     12-mos                    12-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-31-1997                DEC-26-1996               DEC-28-1995
<PERIOD-START>                            DEC-27-1996                DEC-29-1995               DEC-30-1994
<PERIOD-END>                              DEC-31-1997                DEC-26-1996               DEC-28-1995
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                               1.000                      1.000                     1.000
<CASH>                                        5,991                        171                     2,347
<SECURITIES>                                 12,013                     22,564                     1,427
<RECEIVABLES>                                10,279                      8,779                    11,147
<ALLOWANCES>                                    275                        512                       250
<INVENTORY>                                  15,749                     14,967                    16,634
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             44,531                     46,900                    32,181
<PP&E>                                       49,491                     45,414                    44,273
<DEPRECIATION>                               24,397                     20,480                    17,335
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               73,206                     77,379                    77,949
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        44,966                     50,292                    58,546
<BONDS>                                           0                          0                         0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                         9,110                      8,678                    18,631
<PREFERRED>                                       0                          0                         0
<COMMON>                                      6,223                      5,793                     5,540
<OTHER-SE>                                  (42,387)                   (27,383)                  (44,305)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 73,206                     77,379                    77,949
<SALES>                                     125,027                    120,699                   121,879
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            125,027                    120,699                   121,879
<CGS>                                       101,527                     94,613                   102,508
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               101,527                     94,613                   102,508
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             10,736                     14,380                    26,481
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  0                          0                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           12,010                      8,005                     9,782
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 754                      3,701                   (16,892)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (19)                       152                        51
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             773                      3,549                   (16,943)
<DISCONTINUED>                                    0                          0                        10
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   0                      9,424                    14,030
<CHANGES>                                         0                          0                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                    773                     12,973                    (2,903)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (.04)                      1.59                      (.63)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (.04)                      1.51                      (.63)




</TABLE>