<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF THE MAXIM GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF
JANUARY 31, 1997 AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND CASH
FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1997
<CASH>                                           6,439
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   49,845
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,059
<INVENTORY>                                     43,487
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               104,069
<PP&E>                                         138,917
<DEPRECIATION>                                  37,514
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 219,673
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           45,782
<BONDS>                                         91,100
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            13
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   219,673
<SALES>                                        309,721
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               309,721
<CGS>                                          222,290
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   72,366
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   302
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   375
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,006
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,074
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,929
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,145
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,145
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .15