<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE J.B.
WILLIAMS HOLDINGS, INC. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE
30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          16,117
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    5,220
<ALLOWANCES>                                       327
<INVENTORY>                                      3,815
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                25,274
<PP&E>                                           1,821
<DEPRECIATION>                                     797
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  70,882
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            5,281
<BONDS>                                         50,345
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         9,600
<OTHER-SE>                                       5,656
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    70,882
<SALES>                                         19,195
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                19,195
<CGS>                                            5,571
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    5,571
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,588
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,691
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    345
<INCOME-TAX>                                       141
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                204
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       204
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0