<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, 1999 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1999
<CASH>                                           1,815
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   47,034
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,469
<INVENTORY>                                     46,685
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                98,775
<PP&E>                                          28,363
<DEPRECIATION>                                  15,354
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 138,741
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           25,175
<BONDS>                                         66,065
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            79
<OTHER-SE>                                      47,422
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   138,741
<SALES>                                        138,145
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               138,145
<CGS>                                           95,568
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   95,568
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                35,480
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,577
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,401
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,258
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,143
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,143
<EPS-BASIC>                                      .27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .27