<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE HOLMES GROUP, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN IT ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           6,647
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  152,321
<ALLOWANCES>                                    10,057
<INVENTORY>                                    112,660
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               285,297
<PP&E>                                         133,240
<DEPRECIATION>                                  78,892
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 456,496
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           73,613
<BONDS>                                        338,710
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            20
<OTHER-SE>                                      37,780
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   456,496
<SALES>                                        506,833
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               506,833
<CGS>                                          363,654
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  363,654
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                10,448<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,297
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              33,472
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    823
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (87)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,812
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,812
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0<F2>
<FN>
<F1>Product development expenses
<F2>The Company's shares are not publicly traded.
</FN>