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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Hv9cK3t6GlVvOZWmKegQvrN71nCFCElOuFTyv0lDj5Ae32QXsj191bOaC33sFfjt
 DQODt12aA6r/tB+RdQtL0A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001035127-98-000001.txt : 19980218
<SEC-HEADER>0001035127-98-000001.hdr.sgml : 19980218
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001035127-98-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	19971231
FILED AS OF DATE:		19980213
SROS:			NYSE

SUBJECT COMPANY:	

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GENERAL HOUSEWARES CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000040643
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NONFERROUS FOUNDRIES (CASTINGS) [3360]
		IRS NUMBER:				410919772
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-07117
		FILM NUMBER:		98536313

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 4066 1536 BEECH STREET
		CITY:			TERRE HAUTE
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			47804
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8122321000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 4066 1536 BEECH STREET
		CITY:			TERRE HAUTE
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			47804
<REPORTING-OWNER>

COMPANY DATA:	
	COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BLACKWELL JOHN C
	CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001035127
	STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NONFERROUS FOUNDRIES (CASTINGS) [3360]
<RELATIONSHIP>OWNER
	STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
	FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

FILING VALUES:
	FORM TYPE:		5

BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
	STREET 1:		1536 BEECH ST
	CITY:			TERRE HAUTE
	STATE:			IN
	ZIP:			47804
	BUSINESS PHONE:		8122321000

MAIL ADDRESS:	
	STREET 2:		P O BOX 4066 1536 BEECH STREET
	CITY:			TERRE HAUTE
	STATE:			IN
	ZIP:			47804
</REPORTING-OWNER>
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 5
<TEXT>


Form 5
1.	Name and address of reporting person:
	John C. Blackwell
	1536 Beech Street
	Terre Haute, IN  47804

2.	Issuer name and ticker or trading symbol:
	General Housewares Corp. (GHW)

4.	Statement for month/year:
	1997

6.	Relationship of reporting person to issuer:
	Officer - V.P. Sales & Marketing

1.	Title of security:
	Common Stock

2.	Transaction date:
	Periodic

3.	Transaction code:
B*
4.	Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D)
	26.475(A)
Price 7.987 - 8.775

5.	Amount of securities beneficially owned at end of issuer's 
fiscal year:
	7,088(D)
	968.598 (I)*

9.	Number of derivative securities beneficially owned at end of 
year:
	18,000
/s/	John C. Blackwell
	February 13, 1998

*Acquired on a periodic basis by the trustee of the Issuer's 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan.  Represents shares acquired through 
12/31/97, the latest date for which information is available.

FORM5\JCB98.DOC
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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