<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CML GROUP, INC. FOR THE SIX
MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1998
<CASH>                                         445,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               14,466,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,788,000
<INVENTORY>                                 39,995,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            63,348,000
<PP&E>                                      85,406,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              48,694,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             127,543,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       88,837,000
<BONDS>                                     41,593,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     5,277,000
<OTHER-SE>                                (18,012,000)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               127,543,000
<SALES>                                    167,061,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           167,061,000
<CGS>                                       89,361,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               89,361,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               812,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,111,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (46,358,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                12,345,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (58,703,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (58,703,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.17)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.17)