<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000918904
<NAME> The Selmer Company, Inc.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1996
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    75024
<ALLOWANCES>                                      7267
<INVENTORY>                                      76920
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                152225
<PP&E>                                           73523
<DEPRECIATION>                                   12385
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  274978
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            35468
<BONDS>                                         132821
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                        3107
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    274978
<SALES>                                         194876
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                194876
<CGS>                                           132527
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    34264
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  3733
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   604
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               14866
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   8882
<INCOME-TAX>                                      4833
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               4049
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   4368
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (319)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                 (319.00)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 (319.00)