<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE  CONTAINS SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED FROM THE J.B.
WILLIAMS  HOLDINGS,  INC.  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         7,375
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  13,785
<ALLOWANCES>                                   550
<INVENTORY>                                    9,200
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               31,570
<PP&E>                                         2,354
<DEPRECIATION>                                 1,411
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 81,471
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          13,166
<BONDS>                                        50,345
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       9,600
<OTHER-SE>                                     7,488
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   81,471
<SALES>                                        63,868
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               63,868
<CGS>                                          23,555
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  23,555
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               34,174
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             5,200
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                939
<INCOME-TAX>                                   366
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            939
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   573
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0