<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) THE
REGISTRANT'S FORM 10Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH (B) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000085462 
<NAME> ROYAL APPLIANCE MFG. CO.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   29,212
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     38,548
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                80,684
<PP&E>                                          81,979
<DEPRECIATION>                                  39,252
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 127,107
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           46,218
<BONDS>                                         19,466
<COMMON>                                           210
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      70,799
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   127,107
<SALES>                                        119,688
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               119,688
<CGS>                                           85,715
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   85,715
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 554
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,500
<INCOME-TAX>                                       975
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,525
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,525
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .06