<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 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-29-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-30-1998
<CASH>                                             206
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   27,115
<ALLOWANCES>                                       676
<INVENTORY>                                     35,462
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                65,841
<PP&E>                                          35,897
<DEPRECIATION>                                  17,095
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 134,709
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           21,723
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        23,029
<OTHER-SE>                                      33,960
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   134,709
<SALES>                                        140,300
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               140,300
<CGS>                                          101,656
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   26,426
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,936
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,282
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,740
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,542
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,542
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.06