<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM JONES 
APPAREL GROUP, INC. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
DECEMBER 31, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                         129,024
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  172,528
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,303
<INVENTORY>                                    268,175
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               631,843
<PP&E>                                         232,503
<DEPRECIATION>                                  76,460
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,188,672
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          173,888
<BONDS>                                        264,757
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,154
<OTHER-SE>                                     593,195
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,188,672
<SALES>                                      1,669,432
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,685,229
<CGS>                                        1,100,666
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,100,666
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               319,994
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   188
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,845
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                251,811
<INCOME-TAX>                                    96,947
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            154,864
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   154,864
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.47