<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE ISSUER FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1996 AS FILED IN THE ISSUER'S REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-1 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>        1040968
<NAME>       COLEMAN ESCROW CORP.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          17,299
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  221,454
<ALLOWANCES>                                    11,512
<INVENTORY>                                    287,502
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               570,152
<PP&E>                                         297,765
<DEPRECIATION>                                  98,583
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,208,275
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          246,628
<BONDS>                                        999,794
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                   (177,937)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,208,275
<SALES>                                      1,215,865
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,220,216
<CGS>                                          928,497
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  928,497
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 5,225
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              75,120
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (86,113)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (23,766)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (56,957)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (1,244)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (58,201)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0