<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0001064048
<NAME> DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   17,028
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,264)
<INVENTORY>                                     15,764
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                31,501
<PP&E>                                          40,958
<DEPRECIATION>                                (22,017)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  85,068
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           95,947
<BONDS>                                        100,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                   (112,377)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    85,068
<SALES>                                         73,044
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                73,044
<CGS>                                           50,397
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   50,397
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 9,706
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,601
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (660)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (50)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (610)
<DISCONTINUED>                                   (795)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,405)
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0