<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, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<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>                                          3,399
<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