<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FILED AS PART OF
RIDDELL'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                           1,649
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   65,006
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,619
<INVENTORY>                                     33,391
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               106,735
<PP&E>                                          20,082
<DEPRECIATION>                                  11,869
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 221,252
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           30,672
<BONDS>                                        150,339
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            95
<OTHER-SE>                                      35,030
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   221,252
<SALES>                                        150,110
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               202,479
<CGS>                                           84,483
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  119,605
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   959
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,489
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,814
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,814
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,814
<EPS-BASIC>                                     1.05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.93