<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
OCTOBER 3, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-03-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-27-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-03-1997
<CASH>                                           7,130
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   53,861
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,693)
<INVENTORY>                                     78,694
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               152,749
<PP&E>                                          80,895
<DEPRECIATION>                                (49,535)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 277,019
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           66,109
<BONDS>                                         88,753
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           406
<OTHER-SE>                                     117,325
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   277,019
<SALES>                                        303,121
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               303,121
<CGS>                                          191,789
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  191,789
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                96,989
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,604
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,780
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,959
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,903
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,056
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,056
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.25