<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF NORWOOD PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 1, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-01-1996
<CASH>                                           1,450
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   25,290
<ALLOWANCES>                                       746
<INVENTORY>                                     31,017
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                59,989
<PP&E>                                          27,872
<DEPRECIATION>                                   8,897
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 123,016
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           19,354
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                        51,557
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                       5,628
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   123,016
<SALES>                                        108,488
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               108,488
<CGS>                                           75,749
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   75,749
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                23,487
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,634
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,618
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,647
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,971
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,971
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.82