<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000889468
<NAME> BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             NOV-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                          54,558
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   68,488
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     85,148
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               211,256
<PP&E>                                          71,183
<DEPRECIATION>                                (35,293)
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<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           97,572
<BONDS>                                        329,733
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        48,522
<OTHER-SE>                                    (52,638)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   449,958
<SALES>                                        626,445
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               626,445
<CGS>                                          515,158
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   51,825
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 8,427
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              34,556
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 33,333
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,666
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             21,667
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,667
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0