<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RAWLINGS SPORTING GOODS COMPANY, INC. CONTAINED IN ITS QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MAY 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> MAY-31-1996 <CASH> 623 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 38,080 <ALLOWANCES> 1,149 <INVENTORY> 33,673 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 75,790 <PP&E> 20,310 <DEPRECIATION> 12,430 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 108,082 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 18,278 <BONDS> 54,619 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 77 <OTHER-SE> 35,108 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 108,082 <SALES> 125,963 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 125,963 <CGS> 86,532 <TOTAL-COSTS> 86,532 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 26,274 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,963 <INCOME-PRETAX> 9,983 <INCOME-TAX> 3,913 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,070 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 6,070 <EPS-PRIMARY> .79 <EPS-DILUTED> .79