<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 NOVEMBER 30, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-30-1996
<CASH>                                             926
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   35,485
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,484
<INVENTORY>                                     37,118
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                76,004
<PP&E>                                          20,571
<DEPRECIATION>                                  12,824
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 110,350
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           16,579
<BONDS>                                         59,308
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            77
<OTHER-SE>                                      34,386
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   110,350
<SALES>                                         28,259
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                28,259
<CGS>                                           19,441
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   19,441
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 8,142
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 738
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (92)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (34)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (58)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (58)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.01)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.01)