<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MAXXIM MEDICAL FOR THE YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 2, 1997 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-02-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-04-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-02-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           3,130
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   77,209
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0<F1>
<INVENTORY>                                     83,184
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               174,523
<PP&E>                                         122,938
<DEPRECIATION>                                  31,384
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 424,046
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           74,708
<BONDS>                                        205,202
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             9
<OTHER-SE>                                     137,919
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   424,046
<SALES>                                        529,552
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               529,552
<CGS>                                          397,691
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  397,691
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              21,620
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 22,366
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,485
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,881
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,881
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.40
<FN>
<F1>Net of allowance of 3,181
</FN>