<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)