<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF AKI HOLDING CORP. (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) FOR THE YEAR ENDED
JUNE 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              JUL-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                           3,842
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,782
<ALLOWANCES>                                       277
<INVENTORY>                                      2,078
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                25,857
<PP&E>                                          20,789
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,853
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 214,547
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           10,811
<BONDS>                                        142,509
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      57,084
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   214,547
<SALES>                                         71,252
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                71,252
<CGS>                                           47,327
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   47,327
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,973
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,311)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (611)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (3,700)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,700)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0