<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000049146 <NAME> HUNT MANUFACTURING <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-01-1996 <PERIOD-START> DEC-04-1995 <PERIOD-END> JUN-02-1996 <EXCHANGE-RATE> .00001 <CASH> 2,343 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 47,114 <ALLOWANCES> (1,738) <INVENTORY> 37,198 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 91,636 <PP&E> 102,530 <DEPRECIATION> (51,195) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 173,603 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 34,175 <BONDS> 73,268 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,615 <OTHER-SE> 52,329 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 173,603 <SALES> 154,893 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 154,893 <CGS> 98,025 <TOTAL-COSTS> 98,025 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 45,193 <LOSS-PROVISION> 138 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,140 <INCOME-PRETAX> 9,397 <INCOME-TAX> 3,298 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,099 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 6,099 <EPS-PRIMARY> .50 <EPS-DILUTED> .50