WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>



THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AKI HOLDING CORP. (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) FOR THE THREE AND
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1998             JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1997             JUL-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           2,277                   2,277
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    9,790                   9,790
<ALLOWANCES>                                       377                     377
<INVENTORY>                                      2,439                   2,439
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                21,043                  21,043
<PP&E>                                          20,198                  20,198
<DEPRECIATION>                                     147                     147
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 201,364                 201,364
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          132,997                 132,997
<BONDS>                                          1,780                   1,780
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                      62,171                  62,171
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   201,364                 201,364
<SALES>                                         16,049                  37,977
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                16,049                  37,977
<CGS>                                           11,165                  24,787
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   11,165                  24,787
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,954                   3,405
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (455)                   2,628
<INCOME-TAX>                                       (9)                   1,278
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (446)                   1,350
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (446)                   1,350
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0
        


</TABLE>