<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET AS OF OCTOBER 3, 1998 (UNAUDITED) AND THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER
3, 1998 (UNAUDITED) AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN FORM 10-Q FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED 
OCTOBER 3, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001067346
<NAME> AAI.FOSTERGRANT, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-02-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-03-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           2,588
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   43,791
<ALLOWANCES>                                    10,446
<INVENTORY>                                     28,337
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                75,238
<PP&E>                                          37,785
<DEPRECIATION>                                  17,549
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 122,466
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           30,580
<BONDS>                                         77,276
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           29,027
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             6
<OTHER-SE>                                    (14,578)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   122,466
<SALES>                                        125,480
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               125,480
<CGS>                                           67,992
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   67,992
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                57,823
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   444
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,854
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (5,442)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       338
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (5,104)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (7,160)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (11.78)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (11.78)