
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CML GROUP, INC. FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
JULY 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1997
<CASH>                                       4,359,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               10,857,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,706,000
<INVENTORY>                                 33,922,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            58,814,000
<PP&E>                                      94,681,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              46,223,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             146,336,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       49,119,000
<BONDS>                                     41,593,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     5,274,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  40,454,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               146,336,000
<SALES>                                    341,315,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           341,315,000
<CGS>                                      164,081,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              164,081,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             1,553,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,797,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (60,931,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                              (20,717,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (40,214,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (40,214,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.81)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.81)
        

</TABLE>
