<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GLOBE MANUFACTURING CORP. FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
31, 1997 AND THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                               
<PERIOD-TYPE>                YEAR                  9-MOS                    
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                      DEC-31-1997           DEC-31-1998      
<PERIOD-START>                         JAN-01-1997           JAN-01-1998      
<PERIOD-END>                           DEC-31-1997           SEP-30-1998      
<CASH>                                       1,947                 1,766
<SECURITIES>                                     0                     0   
<RECEIVABLES>                               25,822                28,380
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,746                 2,746
<INVENTORY>                                 13,764                14,843
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            42,810                48,069
<PP&E>                                     121,631               148,011
<DEPRECIATION>                              63,681                71,304
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             105,133               140,327
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       23,357                23,649
<BONDS>                                     56,917               270,889
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            0                     0
<PREFERRED>                                      0                     0
<COMMON>                                        18                     0  
<OTHER-SE>                                  67,254             (152,775)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               105,133               140,327
<SALES>                                    170,941               133,321
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           170,941               133,321
<CGS>                                      115,099                84,682   
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              142,113               107,091
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               372                 6,425
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 0                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,968                 6,143
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             25,232                14,956
<INCOME-TAX>                                 8,383                 5,609
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              0                     0
<DISCONTINUED>                                   0                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                301                   187
<CHANGES>                                        0                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                16,548                 9,160
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0                     0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0                     0