<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM RIVER
HOLDING CORPORATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>   1,000

                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999             DEC-25-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-26-1998             DEC-27-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999             DEC-25-1998
<CASH>                                           2,917                     507
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   30,425                  25,829
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (973)                   (794)
<INVENTORY>                                     24,043                  18,024
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                62,330                  45,076
<PP&E>                                          67,750                  51,155
<DEPRECIATION>                                (13,409)                 (4,298)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 345,543                 262,709
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         (26,126)                (15,543)
<BONDS>                                      (115,000)               (115,000)
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                         (34,558)                (31,513)
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                      (91,748)                (63,125)
<OTHER-SE>                                     12,863                   3,472
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 (345,543)               (262,709)
<SALES>                                      (128,803)               (100,498)
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             (128,803)               (100,498)
<CGS>                                           77,678                  42,188
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   39,612                  24,617
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,332                     728
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,263                  10,273
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,082                   1,574
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,999                   (614)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,083                     960
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,083                     960
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0