<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AKI HOLDING CORP. (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) FOR THE
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                              JUL-1-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                             303
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   10,362
<ALLOWANCES>                                       319
<INVENTORY>                                      2,786
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                13,934
<PP&E>                                          29,017
<DEPRECIATION>                                  10,861
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  77,142
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           50,871
<BONDS>                                          3,339
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      8,678
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                      11,224
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    77,142
<SALES>                                         77,723
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                77,723
<CGS>                                           49,467
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   49,467
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   120
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,203
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,117
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,135
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,982
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,982
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0