<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND IS 
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000918904
<NAME> THE SELMER COMPANY INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                            5260
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    54255
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<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            46664
<BONDS>                                         115457
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
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<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    46521
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  5694
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<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               12790
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<INCOME-TAX>                                     12967
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<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     13962
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                 13962.00
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