<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