<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.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<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
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          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