<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) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 449,958 <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