<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     THIS SCHEDULE  CONTAINS SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED FROM THE
     FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS  OF SIGNAL  APPAREL  COMPANY,  INC.,  FOR THE  FISCAL
     QUARTER  ENDED APRIL 3, 1999 AND IS  QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
     TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                APR-3-1999
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,282
<ALLOWANCES>                                       428
<INVENTORY>                                     17,981
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                20,797
<PP&E>                                          23,550
<DEPRECIATION>                                  19,181
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  51,485
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           84,235
<BONDS>                                         20,762
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     48,752
<COMMON>                                           491
<OTHER-SE>                                    (101,638)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    51,485
<SALES>                                         33,418
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                33,418
<CGS>                                           24,765
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   24,765
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,298
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (3,609)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (3,609)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (3,609)
<EPS-BASIC>                                    (0.10)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.10)