<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