<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AKI HOLDING CORP. (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) FOR THE
THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              JUL-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           1,514
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   15,886
<ALLOWANCES>                                       349
<INVENTORY>                                      3,428
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                21,317
<PP&E>                                          29,465
<DEPRECIATION>                                  11,952
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  83,518
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           57,170
<BONDS>                                          1,951
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      8,678
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                      12,859
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    83,518
<SALES>                                         21,928
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                21,928
<CGS>                                           13,622
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   13,622
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    30
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,451
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,083
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,287
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,796
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,796
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0