<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATIO EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF GOLDEN BOOKS FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONTAINED
IN THE ACCOMPANYING QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000790706
<NAME> GOLDEN BOOKS FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-23-2000
<CASH> 3,365
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 25,710
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<INVENTORY> 25,656
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 62,184
<PP&E> 16,151
<DEPRECIATION> 2,959
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 247,471
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 69,560
<BONDS> 96,264
0
0
<COMMON> 102
<OTHER-SE> 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 247,471
<SALES> 103,062
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 103,062
<CGS> 55,999
<TOTAL-COSTS> 110,425
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
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<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 10,444
<INCOME-PRETAX> (17,807)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (17,807)
<EPS-BASIC> (1.74)
<EPS-DILUTED> (1.74)
</TABLE>