<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements of Norwood Promotional Products, Inc. for the year
ended August 31, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
10-K.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-03-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1996
<CASH>                                           1,861
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,396
<ALLOWANCES>                                       775
<INVENTORY>                                     31,823
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                58,260
<PP&E>                                          29,560
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,975
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 121,376
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           23,012
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        51,568
<OTHER-SE>                                       5,812
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   121,376
<SALES>                                        151,962
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               151,962
<CGS>                                          106,992
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  106,992
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                34,583
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,462
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,925
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,770
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,155
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,155
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.82