<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
COMMEMORATIVE BRANDS, INC. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTERLY
PERIOD ENDED MAY 29, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-28-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-29-1999
<CASH>                                           1,566
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   48,427
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,652)
<INVENTORY>                                     12,715
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                68,817
<PP&E>                                          49,028
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (8,992)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 224,347
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           37,950
<BONDS>                                        138,938
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          5
<COMMON>                                             4
<OTHER-SE>                                      37,568
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   224,347
<SALES>                                        135,186
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               135,186
<CGS>                                           58,290
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   58,290
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                61,746
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   360
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,304
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,846
<INCOME-TAX>                                        90
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,756
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,856
<EPS-BASIC>                                       7.57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     7.57