<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Forstmann & Company Inc.'s condensed financial statements for the thirteen weeks ended February 2, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-02-1997 <PERIOD-START> NOV-04-1996 <PERIOD-END> FEB-02-1997 <CASH> 48 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 25755 <ALLOWANCES> 4372 <INVENTORY> 54674 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 83020 <PP&E> 58889 <DEPRECIATION> 46044 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 144101 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 66287 <BONDS> 3408 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 2655 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 6 <OTHER-SE> (16652) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 144101 <SALES> 31218 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 31218 <CGS> 28375 <TOTAL-COSTS> 28375 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 4254 <LOSS-PROVISION> 171 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1585 <INCOME-PRETAX> (3167) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 4151 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (7318) <EPS-PRIMARY> (1.30) <EPS-DILUTED> (1.30)