<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM JONES
APPAREL GROUP, INC. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
OCTOBER 3, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000


                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-03-1999
<CASH>                                          36,491
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  481,253
<ALLOWANCES>                                    18,683
<INVENTORY>                                    702,294
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,361,335
<PP&E>                                         440,088
<DEPRECIATION>                                 184,038
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,998,568
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          892,645
<BONDS>                                        804,886
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,344
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,210,569
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,998,568
<SALES>                                      2,220,147
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,236,148
<CGS>                                        1,382,506
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,382,506
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               530,050
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 5,895
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              43,771
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                268,612
<INCOME-TAX>                                   107,302
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            161,310
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   161,310
<EPS-BASIC>                                     1.45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.40