
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BALANCE BAR
COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND THE RELATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS, SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                              89                   1,119
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,490                   1,457
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (46)                    (22)
<INVENTORY>                                      3,806                     583
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 9,438                   3,299
<PP&E>                                           1,241                     111
<DEPRECIATION>                                   (230)                    (55)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  10,796                   3,374
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            6,464                   1,212
<BONDS>                                          1,413                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          6                       6
<COMMON>                                             9                       9
<OTHER-SE>                                       4,089                   2,147
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    10,796                   3,374
<SALES>                                         39,634                  10,544
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                39,684                  10,551
<CGS>                                           19,801                   5,272
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   36,785                   8,688
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    29                      10
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  23                      23
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,876                   1,840
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,216                     225
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,660                   1,615
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,660                   1,615
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.18                    0.19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.15                    0.17
        

</TABLE>
