<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary information extracted from the consolidated balance sheet of Shaw Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 28, 1996 and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' investment and cash flows for the year ended December 28, 1996, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-28-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-28-1996 <CASH> 49,581,000 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 393,983,000 <ALLOWANCES> (16,667,000) <INVENTORY> 556,785,000 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,081,405,000 <PP&E> 1,337,546,000 <DEPRECIATION> 682,405,000 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,984,398,000 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 411,061,000 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 147,379,000 <OTHER-SE> 524,332,000 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,984,398,000 <SALES> 3,200,964,000 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 3,200,964,000 <CGS> 2,486,164,000 <TOTAL-COSTS> 2,486,164,000 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 587,963,000 <LOSS-PROVISION> 10,777,000 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 42,442,000 <INCOME-PRETAX> 73,618,000 <INCOME-TAX> 43,463,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 30,155,000 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 34,023,000 <EPS-PRIMARY> .25 <EPS-DILUTED> .25