<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Forstmann &
Company, Inc.'s condensed financial statements for the thirty-nine weeks ended
July 28, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-03-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-28-1996
<CASH>                                              49
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   59,475
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,899
<INVENTORY>                                     51,570
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               111,670
<PP&E>                                          70,502
<DEPRECIATION>                                  40,776
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 185,138
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           70,186
<BONDS>                                         22,795
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            2,655
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             6
<OTHER-SE>                                       (318)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   185,138
<SALES>                                        153,402
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               153,402
<CGS>                                          132,417
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  132,417
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                13,207
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,064
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,001
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (287)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  7,692
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (7,979)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.42)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.42)