<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000925252
<NAME> SIGNATURE BRANDS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-29-1997
<CASH>                                           1,270
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   45,843
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     38,262
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                91,573
<PP&E>                                          17,101
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 250,985
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           45,536
<BONDS>                                        149,156
<COMMON>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,648
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   250,985
<SALES>                                        213,255
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               213,255
<CGS>                                          147,565
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  198,815
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (349)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,041
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    748
<INCOME-TAX>                                       449
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                299
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       299
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0