WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE. THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AKI HOLDING CORP. FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. <ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1999 JUN-30-1999 <PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1998 JUL-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998 DEC-31-1998 <CASH> 7,151 7,151 <SECURITIES> 0 0 <RECEIVABLES> 17,855 17,855 <ALLOWANCES> 298 298 <INVENTORY> 4,738 4,738 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 30,418 30,418 <PP&E> 23,014 23,014 <DEPRECIATION> 3,931 3,931 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 217,646 217,646 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 16,492 16,492 <BONDS> 144,478 144,478 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0 <PREFERRED> 0 0 <COMMON> 0 0 <OTHER-SE> 53,434 53,434 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 217,646 217,646 <SALES> 20,437 44,461 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 20,437 44,461 <CGS> 13,660 29,081 <TOTAL-COSTS> 13,660 29,081 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 20 20 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,149 8,245 <INCOME-PRETAX> (1,880) (1,702) <INCOME-TAX> (301) 201 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (1,579) (1,903) <DISCONTINUED> 0 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 <CHANGES> 0 0 <NET-INCOME> (1,579) (1,903) <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0 0