<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS OF AEARO CORPORATION AS OF SEPTEMBER 30,
2000 AND THE STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS OF AEARO CORPORATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 CONTAINED IN AEARO CORPORATION'S FORM 10-K405 FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH 10-K405

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           3,495
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   44,342
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     34,310
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                84,770
<PP&E>                                          98,904
<DEPRECIATION>                                  45,741
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 266,866
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           67,538
<BONDS>                                        180,506
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                      15,848
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   266,866
<SALES>                                        304,975
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               304,975
<CGS>                                          161,559
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  161,559
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               106,405
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              24,387
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,624
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,576
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,048
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,048
<EPS-BASIC>                                    (13.27)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (13.27)