<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) THE
REGISTRANT'S FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH (B) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000085462
<NAME> ROYAL APPLIANCE MFG. CO.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   37,536
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     31,088
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                77,344
<PP&E>                                          89,637
<DEPRECIATION>                                  52,837
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 117,480
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           47,104
<BONDS>                                         18,426
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           211
<OTHER-SE>                                      46,512
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   117,480
<SALES>                                        282,720
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               282,720
<CGS>                                          208,861
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  208,861
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,521
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,132
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,606
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,526
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,526
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .12