<ARTICLE> 5

<LEGEND>
This Schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statements of CML Group, Inc. for the tweleve months
ended July 31, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER> 1

       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1996
<CASH>                                      17,673,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               14,058,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 3,488,000
<INVENTORY>                                 30,434,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           134,923,000
<PP&E>                                      95,438,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              37,279,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             213,351,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       78,760,000
<BONDS>                                     41,593,000
<COMMON>                                     5,262,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                  80,535,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               213,351,000
<SALES>                                    544,905,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           544,905,000
<CGS>                                      256,738,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              256,738,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             4,652,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,088,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                          (131,284,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                              (46,475,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (84,809,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                            (15,615,000)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                             (100,424,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (2.04)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (2.04)