<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)