Exhibit 99(b)

                                            Date:  June 5, 1996
                                         Release:  Immediately
                                 Contact (Press):  Dick Windham (910) 379-2303
                              Contact (Analysts):  Jim Clippard (910) 379-2727


BURLINGTON FORMS
NEW BUSINESS UNIT

        Burlington Industries, Inc. (NYSE: BUR) announced today the formation of
a new division to be known as Burlington Sportswear. The division will serve the
better men's sportswear and uniform markets, specializing in fine cotton fabrics
for casual shirts and pants.
        "We  see an  excellent  opportunity  for  growth  in the  cotton  casual
market,"  said  George  Henderson,  Burlington's  President  and CEO.  "Comfort,
fashion,  and  performance are very much in demand for both leisure and business
wear,  and  there is a  growing  need for the kind of  higher-quality  specialty
products that we will provide through this new division."
        Chuck  Cole  has  been  named  President  of the  Burlington  Sportswear
division.  Cole had 26 years of  merchandising  experience  with the  Burlington
Klopman  Fabrics  division  before being named  president of the Knitted Fabrics
division in September,  1994. (In a separate  announcement,  Burlington said the
Knitted Fabrics division will be closed.)
        Cole  said,  "We are  building  this new  business  quickly,  using  our
marketing  expertise  to expand  upon our proven  products  and  better  utilize
existing  manufacturing  plants. We will focus on better woven and knit products
to be sold to the rapidly growing casual men's  sportswear and uniform  markets.
We are very excited about the growth  prospects for our customers and Burlington
Sportswear."
        Cole also noted the new division  will draw upon  various  manufacturing
resources within the company.  For example, the division will utilize production
capacity at Burlington  plants in Cramerton,  NC and in  Statesville,  NC, where
approximately 110 new jobs will be added.
        Burlington  Sportswear  will  be one of  nine  divisions  of  Burlington
Industries,   Inc.  ,  which  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most   diversified
manufacturers  of textile  products in the world,  with five  divisions  serving
apparel markets and four divisions serving interior furnishings markets.



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