<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
(Replace this text with the legend)
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000009342
<NAME> Baldor Electric Company
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-28-2000
<CASH> 8539
<SECURITIES> 10743
<RECEIVABLES> 114933
<ALLOWANCES> 4350
<INVENTORY> 111726
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 262532
<PP&E> 292894
<DEPRECIATION> 167283
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 414483
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 88891
<BONDS> 57665
0
0
<COMMON> 3890
<OTHER-SE> 250313
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 414483
<SALES> 470158
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 471431
<CGS> 324082
<TOTAL-COSTS> 324082
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 86573
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2792
<INCOME-PRETAX> 57984
<INCOME-TAX> 21744
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 36240
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 36240
<EPS-BASIC> 1.06
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.05
</TABLE>