<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CML GROUP, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JANUARY 27, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-27-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                      17,375,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               34,255,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 4,086,000
<INVENTORY>                                 59,472,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           175,811,000
<PP&E>                                     187,488,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              74,176,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             315,527,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      116,459,000
<BONDS>                                     41,593,000
<COMMON>                                     5,217,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                 134,602,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               315,527,000
<SALES>                                    331,412,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           331,412,000
<CGS>                                      156,087,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              156,087,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             3,957,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,573,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (46,025,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                              (16,569,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (29,456,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                            (15,615,000)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (47,071,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.91)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.91)