<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000925252
<NAME> SIGNATURE BRANDS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1997
<CASH>                                             890
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   54,314
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,978
<INVENTORY>                                     39,607
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               100,992
<PP&E>                                          46,820
<DEPRECIATION>                                  29,222
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 259,710
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           51,971
<BONDS>                                        154,112
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     (1,226)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   259,710
<SALES>                                        275,708
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               275,708
<CGS>                                          190,083
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  256,598
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,350
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               385,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              18,638
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,424)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       788
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,212)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,212)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0