<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000918904
<NAME>THE SELMER COMPANY, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                           4,610
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   62,466
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,715
<INVENTORY>                                    100,833
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               169,295
<PP&E>                                         121,320
<DEPRECIATION>                                  32,211
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 306,516
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           58,569
<BONDS>                                        132,590
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     110,811
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   306,516
<SALES>                                        301,765
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               301,765
<CGS>                                          201,714
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   51,528
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,784
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   197
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,293
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 30,249
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,637
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             17,612
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    17,612
<EPS-BASIC>                                  17,612.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                17,612.00