<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATION AND CONDENSED 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>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-03-1999
<CASH>                                           6,806
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   66,515
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,661
<INVENTORY>                                     92,282
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               166,937
<PP&E>                                         115,009
<DEPRECIATION>                                  26,812
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 306,531
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           58,890
<BONDS>                                        133,451
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      99,767
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   306,531
<SALES>                                         82,388
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                82,388
<CGS>                                           55,200
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   13,649
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,638
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    51
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,870
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,980
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,740
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,240
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,240
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                 5,240.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 5,240.00