<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMNTS OF SIGNAL APPAREL COMPANY, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                     DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                        403
<SECURITIES>                                    0
<RECEIVABLES>                               3,858
<ALLOWANCES>                                2,443
<INVENTORY>                                12,641
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           15,281
<PP&E>                                     25,331
<DEPRECIATION>                             22,330
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             18,464
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      72,187
<BONDS>                                    13,968
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           0
<PREFERRED>                                52,789
<COMMON>                                      326
<OTHER-SE>                               (119,689)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               18,464
<SALES>                                    48,876
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           48,876
<CGS>                                      43,999
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              43,999
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           (1,315)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          8,645
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (35,607)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (35,607)
<DISCONTINUED>                                  0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 0
<CHANGES>                                       0
<NET-INCOME>                              (35,607)
<EPS-BASIC>                                 (1.22)
<EPS-DILUTED>                               (1.22)