<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
REGISTRANTS FORM 10Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000085462
<NAME> ROYAL APPLIANCE MFG CO.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   23,301
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     42,426
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                73,375
<PP&E>                                          89,193
<DEPRECIATION>                                  48,409
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 120,078
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           34,464
<BONDS>                                         32,032
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           211
<OTHER-SE>                                      77,180
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   120,078
<SALES>                                        103,107
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               103,107
<CGS>                                           79,456
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   79,456
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 529
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (7,803)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (3,026)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,777)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,777)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.22)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.22)