<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AKI, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUN-30-1999 <PERIOD-START> JUL-1-1998 <PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998 <CASH> 1,341 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 21,639 <ALLOWANCES> 278 <INVENTORY> 3,984 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 28,059 <PP&E> 21,473 <DEPRECIATION> 2,894 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 213,725 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 13,615 <BONDS> 116,328 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 80,090 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 213,725 <SALES> 24,024 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 24,024 <CGS> 15,421 <TOTAL-COSTS> 15,421 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,121 <INCOME-PRETAX> 1,201 <INCOME-TAX> 844 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 357 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 357 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0