WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE. <ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AKI HOLDING CORP. (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1999 JUN-30-1999 <PERIOD-START> JUL-01-1998 JUL-01-1998 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998 SEP-30-1998 <CASH> 1,341 1,341 <SECURITIES> 0 0 <RECEIVABLES> 21,727 21,727 <ALLOWANCES> 278 278 <INVENTORY> 3,984 3,984 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 28,059 28,059 <PP&E> 21,473 21,473 <DEPRECIATION> 2,894 2,894 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 215,489 215,489 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 13,562 13,562 <BONDS> 143,226 143,226 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0 <PREFERRED> 0 0 <COMMON> 0 0 <OTHER-SE> 55,009 55,009 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 215,489 215,489 <SALES> 24,024 24,024 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 24,024 24,024 <CGS> 15,421 15,421 <TOTAL-COSTS> 15,421 15,421 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,096 4,096 <INCOME-PRETAX> 178 178 <INCOME-TAX> 502 502 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (324) (324) <DISCONTINUED> 0 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 <CHANGES> 0 0 <NET-INCOME> (324) (324) <EPS-BASIC> 0 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0 0