<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM SB-2 FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 1997 AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM SB-2. </LEGEND> <CIK> 0001042187 <NAME> CTI Industries Corporation <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <CURRENCY> dollars <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-mos 12-mos <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-1997 OCT-31-1996 <PERIOD-START> NOV-01-1996 NOV-01-1995 <PERIOD-END> APR-30-1997 OCT-31-1996 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1.000 1.000 <CASH> 0 131 <SECURITIES> 0 0 <RECEIVABLES> 2,805 1,795 <ALLOWANCES> 126 130 <INVENTORY> 4,701 4,583 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 7,687 6,597 <PP&E> 10,266 10,000 <DEPRECIATION> 6,547 6,416 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 11,523 10,286 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 7,197 6,250 <BONDS> 0 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0 <PREFERRED> 1,044 1,028 <COMMON> 75 74 <OTHER-SE> (117) (620) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 11,523 10,286 <SALES> 8,736 13,910 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 8,736 13,910 <CGS> 5,384 8,558 <TOTAL-COSTS> 5,384 8,558 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,658 4,976 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 304 553 <INCOME-PRETAX> 390 (177) <INCOME-TAX> 0 6 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 390 (183) <DISCONTINUED> 0 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 <CHANGES> 0 0 <NET-INCOME> 390 (183) <EPS-PRIMARY> .26 (.20) <EPS-DILUTED> .26 (.20)