<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 quarer ended December 31, 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 DEC-31-1998 <CASH> 1,947 1,439 <SECURITIES> 0 0 <RECEIVABLES> 25,822 25,246 <ALLOWANCES> 1,870 2,736 <INVENTORY> 13,764 18,380 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 42,810 51,169 <PP&E> 121,631 157,436 <DEPRECIATION> 63,681 74,107 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 105,133 145,826 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 23,357 30,095 <BONDS> 56,917 278,152 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0 <PREFERRED> 0 0 <COMMON> 18 1 <OTHER-SE> 67,253 (155,177) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 105,133 145,826 <SALES> 170,941 171,093 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 170,941 171,093 <CGS> 115,099 111,609 <TOTAL-COSTS> 142,113 139,528 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 372 6,029 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,968 12,665 <INCOME-PRETAX> 25,232 12,871 <INCOME-TAX> 8,383 4,445 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 301 187 <CHANGES> 0 0 <NET-INCOME> 16,548 8,239 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0 0