<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF UNIFIRST CORPORATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED AUGUST
29, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-29-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-29-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           5,330
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   43,656
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,529
<INVENTORY>                                     24,152
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               114,768
<PP&E>                                         358,223
<DEPRECIATION>                                 147,261
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 376,130
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           65,455
<BONDS>                                         45,955
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,051
<OTHER-SE>                                     244,323
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   376,130
<SALES>                                        448,052
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               448,052
<CGS>                                          393,877
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  393,877
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,316
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 51,859
<INCOME-TAX>                                    18,669
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             33,190
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    33,190
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.62
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0