<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000918904
<NAME> THE SELMER COMPANY INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           3,259
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   38,443
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,120
<INVENTORY>                                     82,950
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               140,335
<PP&E>                                          76,005
<DEPRECIATION>                                  13,904
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 265,348
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           37,673
<BONDS>                                        116,037
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      68,718
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   265,348
<SALES>                                        257,903
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               257,903
<CGS>                                          173,668
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   45,434
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,886
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   760
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,351
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,804
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,448
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,356
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  4,368
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,988
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  2988.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  2988.00