<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
COMMEMORATIVE BRANDS, INC. FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MAY 27, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-26-2000
<PERIOD-START> AUG-28-1999
<PERIOD-END> MAY-27-2000
<CASH> 2,026
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 51,356
<ALLOWANCES> (2,484)
<INVENTORY> 14,760
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 74,615
<PP&E> 54,494
<DEPRECIATION> (14,233)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 226,628
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 41,627
<BONDS> 133,473
0
6
<COMMON> 4
<OTHER-SE> 44,416
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 226,628
<SALES> 138,567
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 138,567
<CGS> 58,965
<TOTAL-COSTS> 58,965
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 60,384
<LOSS-PROVISION> 930
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 11,536
<INCOME-PRETAX> 7,682
<INCOME-TAX> 186
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 7,496
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 6,596
<EPS-BASIC> 17.54
<EPS-DILUTED> 17.54
</TABLE>