<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE YANKEE
CANDLE COMPANY, INC. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-START> DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUL-01-2000
<CASH> 4,424
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 14,890
<ALLOWANCES> 325
<INVENTORY> 40,467
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 65,687
<PP&E> 107,416
<DEPRECIATION> 22,969
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 307,055
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 53,336
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 1,041
<OTHER-SE> 69,126
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 307,055
<SALES> 119,859
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 119,859
<CGS> 54,174
<TOTAL-COSTS> 54,174
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 43,081
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,983
<INCOME-PRETAX> 14,697
<INCOME-TAX> 5,879
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 8,818
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 8,818
<EPS-BASIC> 0.17
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.16
</TABLE>