<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS OF AEARO CORPORATION AS OF JUNE 30, 2000
(UNAUDITED) AND SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND 1999
CONTAINED IN AEARO CORPORATION'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2000
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH (B) FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                           3,780
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   45,792
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     35,003
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                88,367
<PP&E>                                          98,593
<DEPRECIATION>                                  43,821
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 276,023
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           68,423
<BONDS>                                        186,990
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                      17,458
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   276,023
<SALES>                                        229,782
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               229,782
<CGS>                                          122,333
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  122,333
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                79,934
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,299
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,216
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,509
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,707
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,707
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (9.35)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (9.35)