<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Tandycrafts,
Inc.'s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1996 and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such 10-Q filing.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           2,225
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   35,620
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,268
<INVENTORY>                                     58,010
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                98,247
<PP&E>                                          51,510
<DEPRECIATION>                                  25,476
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 165,790
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           28,985
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        18,528
<OTHER-SE>                                      70,037
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   165,790
<SALES>                                        131,016
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               131,016
<CGS>                                           82,420
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  124,620
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,655
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,741
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,659
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,082
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,082
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0