<ARTICLE>            5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AKI, INC. (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) FOR THE YEAR ENDED
JUNE 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>     1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                              JUL-1-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                             626
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,707
<ALLOWANCES>                                       467
<INVENTORY>                                      2,236
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                16,392
<PP&E>                                          26,671
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,046
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  82,395
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           21,077
<BONDS>                                         41,387
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      8,678
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                       7,931
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    82,395
<SALES>                                         73,486
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                73,486
<CGS>                                           49,862
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   49,862
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   337
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,762
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,279
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,101
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,178
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,178
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0