<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RAWLINGS SPORTING GOODS CO., INC. CONTAINED IN ITS
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 31, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1996
<CASH>                                             789
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   31,588
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,498
<INVENTORY>                                     32,415
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                67,928
<PP&E>                                          20,469
<DEPRECIATION>                                  12,609
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 102,252
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           17,580
<BONDS>                                         50,208
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            77
<OTHER-SE>                                      34,387
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   102,252
<SALES>                                        149,735
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               149,735
<CGS>                                          103,319
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  103,319
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                34,750
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,656
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,760
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,488
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,272
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,272
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .69