<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