<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from B.B.
Walker's Form 10-K and 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year
ended November 1, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000104218
<NAME> B.B. WALKER COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-01-1997
<CASH>                                               1
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    9,587
<ALLOWANCES>                                       503
<INVENTORY>                                      9,533
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                19,268
<PP&E>                                           8,006
<DEPRECIATION>                                   6,256
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  21,174
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           13,368
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         83
<COMMON>                                         1,727
<OTHER-SE>                                       2,747
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    21,174
<SALES>                                         32,648
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                32,725
<CGS>                                           24,121
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   31,575
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     2
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   268
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,204
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (56)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (80)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 24
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        24
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .01