<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF NORWOOD PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED MAY 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1997
<CASH>                                           1,079
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   28,354
<ALLOWANCES>                                       725
<INVENTORY>                                     33,430
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                66,061
<PP&E>                                          34,028
<DEPRECIATION>                                  13,171
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 136,056
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           28,140
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        51,654
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,816
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   136,056
<SALES>                                        133,837
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               133,837
<CGS>                                           96,702
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   96,702
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                27,240
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,593
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,302
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,921
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,381
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,381
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.78
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.78