<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF NORWOOD PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10-K. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-30-1997 <PERIOD-END> AUG-30-1997 <CASH> 2,609 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 24,924 <ALLOWANCES> (642) <INVENTORY> 32,105 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 62,724 <PP&E> 35,355 <DEPRECIATION> (14,214) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 135,194 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 24,848 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 51,829 <OTHER-SE> (553) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 135,194 <SALES> 175,835 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 175,835 <CGS> 125,732 <TOTAL-COSTS> 125,732 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 36,945 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,002 <INCOME-PRETAX> 10,156 <INCOME-TAX> 4,091 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,065 <DISCONTINUED> (4,820) <EXTRAORDINARY> (241) <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,004 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.18 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.18