<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM "USA FLORAL
PRODUCTS INC." AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                          21,382
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   47,840
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     12,066
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                85,731
<PP&E>                                          18,478
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 295,922
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          120,817
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            14
<OTHER-SE>                                     173,297
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   295,922
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               234,294
<CGS>                                          170,721
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   46,441
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,094
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 16,158
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,244
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,915
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.67
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.64