<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Hyde
Athletic Industries, Inc. 10-K Report for the year ended January 3, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such 10-K.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-03-1997
<CASH>                                       2,802,864
<SECURITIES>                                   236,128
<RECEIVABLES>                               22,840,161
<ALLOWANCES>                                   576,312
<INVENTORY>                                 28,632,511
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            57,815,101
<PP&E>                                      16,737,085
<DEPRECIATION>                               7,519,617
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              71,591,726
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       14,208,783
<BONDS>                                      4,885,342
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     2,145,095
<OTHER-SE>                                  47,933,522
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                71,591,726
<SALES>                                    110,809,169
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           111,884,834
<CGS>                                       77,449,171
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               77,449,171
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            31,254,370
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               536,106
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             951,737
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              2,229,556
<INCOME-TAX>                                   427,468
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          1,494,090
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,494,090
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.24