<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
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-25-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-07-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-25-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1 
<CASH>                                             507
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   25,195
<ALLOWANCES>                                       635
<INVENTORY>                                     18,024
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                45,409
<PP&E>                                          51,155
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (4,298)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 262,709
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         (15,544)
<BONDS>                                      (115,000)
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                         (31,512)
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                      (63,125)
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  (59,653)
<SALES>                                       (76,232)
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              (76,232)
<CGS>                                           42,188
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   24,617
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   728
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,273
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,574
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (614)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                960
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       960
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      0.0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      0.0