<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF HELEN OF TROY LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES AS
OF, AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-28-1997
<CASH>                                      25,798,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               37,351,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                   400,000
<INVENTORY>                                 68,267,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           133,231,000
<PP&E>                                      29,763,000
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,983,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             182,226,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       21,294,000
<BONDS>                                     40,450,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0  
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,314,000 
<OTHER-SE>                                 119,168,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               182,226,000
<SALES>                                    213,035,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           213,035,000
<CGS>                                      132,861,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              132,861,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            57,438,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               349,000 
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,262,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             22,139,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 4,981,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         17,158,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                17,158,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.23