<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Cone Mills
Corporation Consolidated Financial Statements dated April 2, 1995, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-02-1995
<CASH>                                             912
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   98,833
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,000
<INVENTORY>                                    152,856
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               257,159
<PP&E>                                         423,879
<DEPRECIATION>                                 184,073
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 568,831
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          119,839
<BONDS>                                        172,629
<COMMON>                                         2,738
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     38,395
<OTHER-SE>                                     191,262
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   568,831
<SALES>                                        226,205
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               226,205
<CGS>                                          193,149
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  213,976
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,776
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,938
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,304
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,634
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,634
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.11