<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the balance sheet as of March 31, 1997 and statement of income for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <CIK> 0001025834 <NAME> Swisher International Group Inc. <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> U.S. <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1997 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1.000 <CASH> 1,501 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 29,589 <ALLOWANCES> 1,940 <INVENTORY> 59,151 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 95,074 <PP&E> 62,987 <DEPRECIATION> 4,643 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 212,252 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 34,108 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 341 <OTHER-SE> 54,012 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 212,252 <SALES> 0 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 63,799 <CGS> 0 <TOTAL-COSTS> 33,320 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (16) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,130 <INCOME-PRETAX> 12,833 <INCOME-TAX> 5,068 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 7,765 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 7,765 <EPS-PRIMARY> .23 <EPS-DILUTED> .23