<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> (Replace this text with the legend) </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000723603 <NAME> Culp, Inc. <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> May-03-1998 <PERIOD-START> Apr-28-1997 <PERIOD-END> Aug-03-1997 <CASH> 1,843 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 56,108 <ALLOWANCES> 2,022 <INVENTORY> 60,715 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 122,770 <PP&E> 182,716 <DEPRECIATION> 85,588 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 253,319 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 33,801 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 632 <OTHER-SE> 112,905 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 253,319 <SALES> 99,498 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 99,498 <CGS> 82,765 <TOTAL-COSTS> 82,765 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 242 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,190 <INCOME-PRETAX> 4,385 <INCOME-TAX> 1,535 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 2,850 <EPS-PRIMARY> .23 <EPS-DILUTED> .23