<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE COMPANY'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 28, 1997. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000715787 <NAME> INTERFACE, INC. <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-28-1997 <PERIOD-START> DEC-29-1997 <PERIOD-END> SEP-28-1997 <CASH> 9,616 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 197,917 <ALLOWANCES> 7,325 <INVENTORY> 165,655 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 401,204 <PP&E> 364,483 <DEPRECIATION> 140,468 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 951,218 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 189,173 <BONDS> 426,379 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 2,762 <OTHER-SE> 303,660 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 951,218 <SALES> 826,443 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 826,443 <CGS> 553,473 <TOTAL-COSTS> 757,340 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 28,393 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 26,303 <INCOME-PRETAX> 40,710 <INCOME-TAX> 15,886 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 24,824 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 24,824 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.06 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.06