<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains financial information extracted from Forstmann & Company, Inc.'s condensed financial statements for the twenty-six weeks ended May 2, 1999 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-mos <FISCAL-YEAR-END> Oct-31-1999 <PERIOD-START> Nov-02-1998 <PERIOD-END> May-02-1999 <CASH> 15 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 30,195 <ALLOWANCES> 1,609 <INVENTORY> 32,198 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 67,892 <PP&E> 19,773 <DEPRECIATION> 4,541 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 85,254 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 60,526 <BONDS> 712 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 44 <OTHER-SE> 23,972 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 85,254 <SALES> 45,540 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 45,540 <CGS> 43,645 <TOTAL-COSTS> 43,645 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 6,184 <LOSS-PROVISION> 300 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,794 <INCOME-PRETAX> (7,939) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (7,939) <DISCONTINUED> 54 <EXTRAORDINARY> 314 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (7,679) <EPS-BASIC> (1.75) <EPS-DILUTED> (1.75)