<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)