
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CML GROUP, INC. FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED MAY 2, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-02-1998
<CASH>                                       2,773,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                9,869,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,437,000
<INVENTORY>                                 41,010,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            58,320,000
<PP&E>                                      80,736,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              45,628,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             105,941,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      103,955,000
<BONDS>                                     41,593,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     5,281,000
<OTHER-SE>                                (58,597,000)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               105,941,000
<SALES>                                    226,831,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           226,831,000
<CGS>                                      127,839,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              127,839,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               986,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           5,374,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (70,955,000)
<INCOME-TAX>                                31,416,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                      (102,371,000)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                             (102,371,000)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (2.05)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (2.05)
        

</TABLE>
