<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF NORWOOD PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10-Q. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-29-1998 <PERIOD-START> AUG-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1998 <CASH> 94 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 20,275 <ALLOWANCES> 794 <INVENTORY> 34,788 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 60,340 <PP&E> 34,445 <DEPRECIATION> 16,111 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 127,527 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 16,570 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 23,020 <OTHER-SE> 30,692 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 127,527 <SALES> 86,953 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 86,953 <CGS> 63,501 <TOTAL-COSTS> 17,695 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,902 <INCOME-PRETAX> 3,855 <INCOME-TAX> 1,581 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,274 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 2,274 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.45 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.43