<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM "HUDSON REPIRATORY CARE INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN IT S ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-25-1998 <PERIOD-START> DEC-27-1997 <PERIOD-END> DEC-25-1998 <CASH> 507 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 25,194 <ALLOWANCES> 635 <INVENTORY> 18,024 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 45,076 <PP&E> 83,893 <DEPRECIATION> (51,161) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 165,321 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> (15,543) <BONDS> (115,000) <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> (31,513) <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> (63,535) <OTHER-SE> 464 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> (165,321) <SALES> (100,498) <TOTAL-REVENUES> (100,498) <CGS> 53,520 <TOTAL-COSTS> 28,228 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,041 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 10,692 <INCOME-PRETAX> 61,676 <INCOME-TAX> (68,659) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (6,983) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 104 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (6,879) <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.00 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.00