<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM COMMEMORATIVE BRANDS
INC. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED NOVEMBER
27, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-26-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-29-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-27-1999
<CASH>                                           2,947
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   43,713
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,879)
<INVENTORY>                                     16,757
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                70,114
<PP&E>                                          53,342
<DEPRECIATION>                                (11,782)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 225,381
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           40,981
<BONDS>                                        141,134
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          6
<COMMON>                                             4
<OTHER-SE>                                      35,985
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   225,381
<SALES>                                         38,739
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                38,739
<CGS>                                           17,496
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   17,496
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                18,872
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   259
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,876
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,505)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        30
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,535)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,835)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (4.88)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (4.88)