<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A)
REGISTRANTS FORM 10Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH (B)
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000085462
<NAME> ROYAL APPLIANCE MFG CO.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   37,183
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     34,813
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                78,289
<PP&E>                                          87,352
<DEPRECIATION>                                  50,158
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 119,709
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           45,418
<BONDS>                                         23,488
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           211
<OTHER-SE>                                      46,978
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   119,709
<SALES>                                        176,714
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               176,714
<CGS>                                          133,805
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  133,805
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,221
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,248)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,640)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,608)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,608)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.12)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.12)