<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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                           7,043
<SECURITIES>                                    27,506
<RECEIVABLES>                                   40,796
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,644
<INVENTORY>                                     48,359
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               123,544
<PP&E>                                          17,251
<DEPRECIATION>                                   3,156
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 174,629
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           56,756
<BONDS>                                        115,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                     (4,548)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   174,629
<SALES>                                        198,642
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               198,642
<CGS>                                          119,987
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  187,943
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,009
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,186
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    286
<INCOME-TAX>                                       526
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (240)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (1,280)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,520)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0