<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM TECNOL
MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC. 10Q FILING FOR FIRST QUARTER OF FISCAL YEAR 1997.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-29-1997
<PERIOD-START>                              DEC-1-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                MAR-1-1997
<CASH>                                       7,698,842
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               26,032,419
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,414,000
<INVENTORY>                                 31,875,159
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            69,864,851
<PP&E>                                      76,379,974
<DEPRECIATION>                              26,356,096
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             165,397,243
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       19,598,753
<BONDS>                                      7,462,035
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        21,136
<OTHER-SE>                                 132,345,720
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               165,397,243
<SALES>                                     37,310,507
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            37,310,507
<CGS>                                       20,728,710
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               20,728,710
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             108,946
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              7,423,795
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,499,789
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          4,924,006
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 4,924,006
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.25<F1>
<FN>
<F1>PRIMARY AND FULLY DILUTED NET INCOME PER SHARE ARE NOT MATERIALLY DIFFERENT.
</FN>