
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CML GROUP, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED APRIL 27, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-27-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                       3,475,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               16,529,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 3,743,000
<INVENTORY>                                 30,314,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           160,892,000
<PP&E>                                      93,079,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              32,799,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             241,824,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       86,860,000
<BONDS>                                     41,593,000
<COMMON>                                     5,222,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                  98,527,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               241,824,000
<SALES>                                    469,753,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           469,753,000
<CGS>                                      220,039,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              220,039,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             4,149,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,093,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (101,862,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                               (36,161,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (65,701,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                             (15,615,000)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (81,316,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (1.65)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (1.65)
          

</TABLE>
