<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF UNIFIRST CORPORATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED AUGUST
26, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-26-2000
<PERIOD-START> AUG-29-1999
<PERIOD-END> AUG-26-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 7,137
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 57,125
<ALLOWANCES> 3,110
<INVENTORY> 27,598
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 148,305
<PP&E> 454,037
<DEPRECIATION> 191,704
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 500,150
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 82,203
<BONDS> 124,735
0
0
<COMMON> 2,076
<OTHER-SE> 269,096
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 500,150
<SALES> 528,726
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 528,726
<CGS> 489,482
<TOTAL-COSTS> 489,482
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,200
<INCOME-PRETAX> 32,044
<INCOME-TAX> 12,176
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 19,868
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 19,868
<EPS-BASIC> 1.01
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.01
</TABLE>