<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains financial information extracted from Forstmann & Company, Inc.'s consolidated financial statements for the fifty-two weeks ended November 1, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000798246 <NAME> Forstmann & Company, Inc. <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-mos <FISCAL-YEAR-END> Nov-01-1998 <PERIOD-START> Nov-03-1997 <PERIOD-END> Nov-01-1998 <CASH> 143 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 32,743 <ALLOWANCES> 1,309 <INVENTORY> 38,818 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 71,003 <PP&E> 30,480 <DEPRECIATION> 8,245 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 95,243 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 20,008 <BONDS> 43,565 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 44 <OTHER-SE> 31,626 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 95,243 <SALES> 149,597 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 149,597 <CGS> 141,760 <TOTAL-COSTS> 141,760 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 15,890 <LOSS-PROVISION> 851 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6,489 <INCOME-PRETAX> (18,888) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (18,888) <DISCONTINUED> 99 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (18,987) <EPS-PRIMARY> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> (4.33)