<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary information extracted from the consolidated balance sheet of Shaw Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 3, 1998 and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' investment and cash flows for the year ended January 3, 1998, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. Note: Earnings Per Share (E.P.S.) have been calculated in accordance with FASB 128. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-03-1998 <PERIOD-END> JAN-03-1998 <CASH> 43,571,000 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 374,516,000 <ALLOWANCES> 16,283,000 <INVENTORY> 530,059,000 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,066,413,000 <PP&E> 1,383,823,000 <DEPRECIATION> 759,444,000 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,967,614,000 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 325,454,000 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 145,542,000 <OTHER-SE> 491,992,000 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,967,614,000 <SALES> 3,575,774,000 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 3,575,774,000 <CGS> 2,680,472,000 <TOTAL-COSTS> 2,680,472,000 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 794,932,000 <LOSS-PROVISION> 9,318,000 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 60,769,000 <INCOME-PRETAX> 30,283,000 <INCOME-TAX> 5,586,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 24,697,000 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 28,959,000 <EPS-PRIMARY> .22 <EPS-DILUTED> .22