<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0001037478 <NAME> Fonda Group Inc <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-24-2000 <PERIOD-START> SEP-27-1999 <PERIOD-END> MAR-26-2000 <CASH> 1,332 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 48,186 <ALLOWANCES> 2,083 <INVENTORY> 66,813 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 126,215 <PP&E> 72,146 <DEPRECIATION> 22,443 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 225,450 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 212,514 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 12,936 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 225,450 <SALES> 175,635 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 175,635 <CGS> 142,814 <TOTAL-COSTS> 142,814 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 24,068 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 8,153 <INCOME-PRETAX> 600 <INCOME-TAX> 234 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 366 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> (525) <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (159) <EPS-BASIC> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0