<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
NINE WEST GROUP INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF MAY 3,
1997, AND THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME AND CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED MAY 3,
1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-03-1997
<CASH>                                          29,281
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  106,255
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    508,748
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               730,456
<PP&E>                                         197,297
<DEPRECIATION>                                (71,666)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,255,372
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          195,412
<BONDS>                                        610,574
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           358
<OTHER-SE>                                     379,191
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,255,372
<SALES>                                        406,083
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               406,083
<CGS>                                          224,242
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  224,242
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               140,738
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,311
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 28,792
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,301
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             17,491
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    17,491
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.48
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.48