<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
COMMEMORATIVE BRANDS, INC. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTERLY
PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY 26, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-26-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-29-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-26-2000
<CASH>                                           2,684
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   40,862
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,712)
<INVENTORY>                                     15,302
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                64,969
<PP&E>                                          54,677
<DEPRECIATION>                                (13,012)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 219,205
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           43,941
<BONDS>                                        130,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          6
<COMMON>                                             4
<OTHER-SE>                                      38,087
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   219,205
<SALES>                                         85,588
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                85,588
<CGS>                                           37,232
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   37,232
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                39,664
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   586
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,765
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    927
<INCOME-TAX>                                        60
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                867
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       267
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.71
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.71