<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CML GROUP, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED MAY 3, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-03-1997
<CASH>                                      22,422,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               11,381,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 3,494,000
<INVENTORY>                                 37,744,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            85,993,000
<PP&E>                                      95,305,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              44,755,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             167,088,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       59,992,000
<BONDS>                                     41,593,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     5,282,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  53,069,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               167,088,000
<SALES>                                    278,400,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           278,400,000
<CGS>                                      129,135,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              129,135,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             1,209,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,192,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (41,573,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                              (14,135,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (27,438,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (27,438,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.55)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.55)