<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF JOHNSON WORLDWIDE ASSOCIATES, INC. AS OF AND
FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-27-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-27-1996
<CASH>                                          12,697
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   58,082
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,235
<INVENTORY>                                    101,903
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               194,344
<PP&E>                                          77,681
<DEPRECIATION>                                  47,527
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 280,786
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           88,405
<BONDS>                                         61,501
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           406
<OTHER-SE>                                     126,018
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   280,768
<SALES>                                        344,373
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               344,373
<CGS>                                          224,649
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  224,649
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               119,042
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,662
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,181
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (11,161)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       194
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (11,355)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (11,355)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.40)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.40)