<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains financial information extracted from Forstmann & COmpany, Inc's. condensed consolidated financial statements for the thirteen weeks ended January 31, 1999 and is qualified in its entirety by references to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000798246 <NAME> Forstmann & Company, Inc. <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-mos <FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> NOV-02-1998 <PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1999 <CASH> 40 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 22,139 <ALLOWANCES> 1,430 <INVENTORY> 39,647 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 67,508 <PP&E> 19,436 <DEPRECIATION> 4,061 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 84,899 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 59,024 <BONDS> 865 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 44 <OTHER-SE> 24,966 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 84,899 <SALES> 18,498 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 18,498 <CGS> 19,052 <TOTAL-COSTS> 19,052 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 3,395 <LOSS-PROVISION> 121 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,407 <INCOME-PRETAX> (6,662) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (6,662) <DISCONTINUED> 14 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (6,676) <EPS-PRIMARY> (1.52) <EPS-DILUTED> (1.52)