<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Cone Mills
Corporation Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements dated June 29, 1997, and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-29-1997
<CASH>                                           4,999
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   62,177
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,500
<INVENTORY>                                    129,970
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               206,071
<PP&E>                                         444,121
<DEPRECIATION>                                 204,488
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 518,714
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          116,946
<BONDS>                                        150,148
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     38,395
<COMMON>                                         2,610
<OTHER-SE>                                     161,796
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   518,714
<SALES>                                        360,506
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               360,506
<CGS>                                          317,649
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  317,649
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             (6,588)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,622)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,672)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (3,066)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,066)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.17)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.17)