<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