<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains financial information extracted from Forstmann & Company, Inc.'s condensed financial statements for the twenty-six weeks ended May 3, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-mos <FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-01-1998 <PERIOD-START> NOV-03-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAY-03-1998 <CASH> 47 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 50,374 <ALLOWANCES> 1,029 <INVENTORY> 51,490 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 102,146 <PP&E> 27,554 <DEPRECIATION> 4,758 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 126,636 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 17,350 <BONDS> 58,433 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 44 <OTHER-SE> 50,809 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 126,636 <SALES> 78,642 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 78,642 <CGS> 67,423 <TOTAL-COSTS> 67,423 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 6,766 <LOSS-PROVISION> 571 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,151 <INCOME-PRETAX> 419 <INCOME-TAX> 142 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 277 <DISCONTINUED> 55 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 222 <EPS-PRIMARY> .05 <EPS-DILUTED> .05