<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000860194 <NAME> THE RIVAL COMPANY <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1999 <PERIOD-START> JUL-1-1998 <PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 579 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 103,186 <ALLOWANCES> 2,585 <INVENTORY> 102,444 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 207,797 <PP&E> 93,146 <DEPRECIATION> 56,124 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 314,058 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 115,806 <BONDS> 78,090 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 98 <OTHER-SE> 115,613 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 314,058 <SALES> 194,899 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 194,899 <CGS> 146,583 <TOTAL-COSTS> 146,583 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 38,921 <LOSS-PROVISION> 505 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,208 <INCOME-PRETAX> 3,318 <INCOME-TAX> 1,570 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,748 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 1,748 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.19 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.19