<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS OF COLOR SPOT
NURSERIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997             JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996             JUL-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997             SEP-25-1997
<CASH>                                           2,762                   1,681
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   27,185                  18,228
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,661                   1,980
<INVENTORY>                                     29,395                  47,159
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                58,033                  65,070
<PP&E>                                          34,576                  51,503
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,802                   3,668
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 133,417                 183,743
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           43,872                  64,485
<BONDS>                                         83,408                 111,335
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            2,062                   2,026
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           162                     170
<OTHER-SE>                                       3,913                   5,727
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   113,417                 183,743
<SALES>                                        113,400                  25,482
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               113,400                  25,482
<CGS>                                           64,026                  18,018
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   64,026                  18,018
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                39,458                  11,682
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,179                   2,392
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,885                 (6,712)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,830                 (3,021)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,055                 (3,691)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    215                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,840                 (3,691)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.40)                  (0.49)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.39)                  (0.49)