<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS LISTED ON PAGES 2 AND 3 OF THIS FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001060513
<NAME> PARAGON CORPORATE HOLDINGS INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                           6,937
<SECURITIES>                                    27,714
<RECEIVABLES>                                   39,715
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     50,690
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               126,652
<PP&E>                                          12,372
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,615
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 175,750
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           57,832
<BONDS>                                        115,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                     (4,593)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   175,750
<SALES>                                        133,077
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               133,077
<CGS>                                           80,030
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   80,030
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   921
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,714
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     86
<INCOME-TAX>                                       440
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (354)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (1,280)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,634)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0