<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF NORWOOD PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 29, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10-Q. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-29-1998 <PERIOD-START> AUG-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> NOV-29-1997 <CASH> 1,002 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 23,632 <ALLOWANCES> 915 <INVENTORY> 32,040 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 58,400 <PP&E> 36,105 <DEPRECIATION> 15,185 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 129,333 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 20,981 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 22,941 <OTHER-SE> 30,263 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 129,333 <SALES> 46,964 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 46,964 <CGS> 33,744 <TOTAL-COSTS> 33,744 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 9,230 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 863 <INCOME-PRETAX> 3,127 <INCOME-TAX> 1,282 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,845 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,845 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.35 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.35