<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BONTEX,
INC.'S UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE QUARTER
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, AS SET FORTH IN THE COMPANY'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM
10-Q, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           1,621
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   11,367
<ALLOWANCES>                                       214
<INVENTORY>                                      5,760
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                20,323
<PP&E>                                          22,231
<DEPRECIATION>                                  11,622
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  31,779
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           18,691
<BONDS>                                          2,387
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              157
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      10,701
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    31,779
<SALES>                                         22,718
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                22,718
<CGS>                                           15,741
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   21,338
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   617
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 641
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    763
<INCOME-TAX>                                       302
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                461
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       461
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .29