<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE NINE
WEST GROUP INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF MAY 2, 1998 AND THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR
THE THIRTEEN WEEKS THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-02-1998
<CASH>                                          22,515
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  166,969
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (51,878)
<INVENTORY>                                    550,849
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               762,275
<PP&E>                                         263,979
<DEPRECIATION>                                (92,760)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,350,278
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          171,108
<BONDS>                                        663,415
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           359
<OTHER-SE>                                     446,866
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,350,278
<SALES>                                        448,282
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               448,282
<CGS>                                          257,222
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  257,222
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               163,724
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   597
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,799
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,940
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,657
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,283
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,283
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.20