<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BWAY
CORPORATION AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-28-1997             SEP-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-30-1997             SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1997             SEP-28-1997
<CASH>                                           1,374                   1,374
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   42,386                  42,386
<ALLOWANCES>                                       580                     580
<INVENTORY>                                     46,615                  46,615
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                97,056                  97,056
<PP&E>                                         148,713                 148,713
<DEPRECIATION>                                  25,096                  25,096
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 316,377                 316,377
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           90,166                  90,166
<BONDS>                                        114,381                 114,381
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                            99                      99
<OTHER-SE>                                      85,367                  85,367
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   316,377                 316,377
<SALES>                                        101,130                 402,150
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               101,130                 402,150
<CGS>                                           85,759                 341,406
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   94,225                 379,900
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (715)                     998
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 (105)                     190
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,849                  10,649
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,905                  22,250
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,855                   9,146
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,050                  13,104
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,050                  13,104
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.40                    1.31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.40                    1.31