<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
REGISTRANT'S FORM 10Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000085462
<NAME> ROYAL APPLIANCE MFG. CO.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   24,236
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     39,420
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                69,471
<PP&E>                                          88,803
<DEPRECIATION>                                  46,417
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 115,840
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           35,726
<BONDS>                                         24,551
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           211
<OTHER-SE>                                      79,393
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   115,840
<SALES>                                         51,848
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                51,848
<CGS>                                           40,350
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   40,350
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 288
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,169)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,626)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,543)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,543)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.11)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.11)