<ARTICLE>                                                                 5
<LEGEND>THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF WOLVERINE WORLD
WIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 12, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                             1,000
       

<PERIOD-TYPE>                                            OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                   JAN-2-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                      JAN-4-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                       SEP-12-1998
<CASH>                                                   8,853
<SECURITIES>                                                 0
<RECEIVABLES>                                          159,100
<ALLOWANCES>                                             8,621
<INVENTORY>                                            177,534
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                       355,868
<PP&E>                                                 184,594
<DEPRECIATION>                                          80,274
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                         521,069
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                   59,331
<BONDS>                                                153,505
<COMMON>                                                43,802
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                        0
<PREFERRED>                                                  0
<OTHER-SE>                                             252,527
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                           521,069
<SALES>                                                455,002
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                       455,002
<CGS>                                                  309,653
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                          309,653
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                             0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                             0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                       5,953
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         39,607
<INCOME-TAX>                                            13,233
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                     26,374
<DISCONTINUED>                                               0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                              0
<CHANGES>                                                    0
<NET-INCOME>                                            26,374
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                              .63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                              .61