<ARTICLE>                    5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ONEIDA LTD. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1998
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                 1,000
       

                                              1999
                                            
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                      Jan-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                         Feb-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                           Oct-31-1998
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                3-MOS
<CASH>                                       3,348
<SECURITIES>                                     0
<RECEIVABLES>                               90,356
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,755
<INVENTORY>                                188,440
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           293,461
<PP&E>                                     219,202
<DEPRECIATION>                             128,480
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             455,602
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      157,181
<BONDS>                                     88,615
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            0
<PREFERRED>                                  2,187
<COMMON>                                    17,378
<OTHER-SE>                                 119,020
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               455,602
<SALES>                                    340,058
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           340,058
<CGS>                                      213,502
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              213,502
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            94,245
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           6,410
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             26,423
<INCOME-TAX>                                10,087
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         16,336
<DISCONTINUED>                                   0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  0
<CHANGES>                                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                16,336
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  .97<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  .96
<FN>
<F1> The amount reported as EPS-PRIMARY is actually Earnings Per Share-
Basic, as the Company adopted SFAS 128 "Earnings Per Share" as of January
31, 1998.