<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONDEN-
SED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS OF AEARO CO. AS OF 6-30-98 (UNAUDITED) AND 9-30
- -97 AND THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) FOR THE
9 MOS. ENDED 6-30-98 AND 1997 CONTAINED IN AEARO CO.'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER
ENDED 6-30-98, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998
<CASH> 5,261
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 44,146
<ALLOWANCES> (1,447)
<INVENTORY> 38,780
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 89,993
<PP&E> 85,901
<DEPRECIATION> (26,570)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 294,298
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 58,000
<BONDS> 219,123
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0
<PREFERRED> 0
<COMMON> 1
<OTHER-SE> 13,630
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 294,298
<SALES> 217,803
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 217,803
<CGS> 121,973
<TOTAL-COSTS> 121,973
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 76,138
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 19,698
<INCOME-PRETAX> (6)
<INCOME-TAX> 2,302
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (2,308)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (2,308)
<EPS-PRIMARY> (83.25)
<EPS-DILUTED> (83.25)