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                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                               WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                                      FORM 10-Q

                     QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

                       OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                        For the period ended March 30, 1996 

                          Commission file number: 1-11756  

                                PILLOWTEX CORPORATION
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                    TEXAS                          75-2147728
          (State of incorporation)      (IRS Employer Identification No.)  

                                    4111 Mint Way
                                   Dallas, Texas  
                                        75237
                      (Address of principal executive offices)
                                     (Zip Code)

                                   (214) 333-3225
                           (Registrant's telephone number,
                                including area code)



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                          Yes    X        No
                              ------         ------


Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

                  CLASS                      Outstanding at April 25, 1996

      Common Stock, $0.01 par value                    10,617,722

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                       PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


                                        INDEX

Part I - Financial Information                                          Page No.

     Item 1.   Interim Financial Statements:

               Consolidated Balance Sheets as of 
                March 30, 1996 and December 30, 1995                           3

               Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the three                
                months ended March 30, 1996 and April 1, 1995                  4

               Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three
                months ended March 30, 1996 and April 1, 1995                  5

               Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                      6

     Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                Financial Condition and Results of Operations                  7
     
Part II - Other Information

     Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                9

Signature                                                                     10

Index to Exhibits                                                             11




                       PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                             CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                        March 30, 1996 and December 30, 1995
                      (Dollars in thousands, except par value)
                             (Audited, except as noted)



  ASSETS                                                     1996       1995   
                                                          ----------  ----------
                                                          (Unaudited)
                                                                     
Current assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $     207         411
 Receivables:
   Trade, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,141
     and $2,195 in 1996 and 1995, respectively . . . . . .    60,128      71,684
   Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     4,836       2,284
 Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   119,821     107,404
 Prepaid expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     1,870       1,644
 Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2,449       2,419
                                                          ----------  ----------
   Total current assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   189,311     185,846

Property, plant, and equipment, less accum. depreciation 
 of $36,100 and $33,411 in 1996 and 1995, respectively . .    82,037      84,567
Intangible assets, at cost, less accumulated amortization 
 of $2,822 and $2,500 in 1996 and 1995, respectively . . .    51,298      51,779
Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2,509       2,518
                                                          ----------  ----------
                                                             325,155     324,710
                                                          ----------  ----------
                                                          ----------  ----------
  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
 Accounts payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $  36,094      42,090
 Accrued expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    20,136      21,137
 Current portion of long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . .    11,564      11,916
 Income taxes payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       372         575
                                                          ----------  ----------
   Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    68,166      75,718

Long-term debt, net of current portion . . . . . . . . . .   160,789     153,472
Deferred income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     7,704       7,530

Shareholders' equity:
 Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 20,000,000
  shares; none issued and outstanding. . . . . . . . . . .         -           -
 Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 30,000,000 
  shares; 10,617,722 shares issued and outstanding . . . .       106         106
 Additional paid-in capital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    58,427      58,427
 Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    30,076      29,666
 Currency translation adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . .     (113)       (209)
                                                          ----------  ----------
   Total shareholders' equity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    88,496      87,990
                                                          ----------  ----------
                                                           $ 325,155     324,710
                                                          ----------  ----------
                                                          ----------  ----------

            See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



                       PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                Three Months Ended March 30, 1996 and April 1, 1995 
                      (In thousands, except for per share data)
                                     (Unaudited)



                                                              1996       1995    
                                                          ----------  ---------- 
                                                                
Net sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 100,794      94,740
Cost of goods sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    85,226      78,286
                                                          ----------  ----------
  Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    15,568      16,454
Selling, general and administrative expenses . . . . . . .    10,614      10,571
                                                          ----------  ----------
  Earnings from operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     4,954       5,883

Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     3,398       3,936
                                                          ----------  ----------
 
  Earnings before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     1,556       1,947

Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       615         785
                                                          ----------  ----------
  Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $     941       1,162
                                                          ----------  ----------
                                                          ----------  ----------

Net earnings per common share and common 
  share equivalent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $     .09         .11
                                                          ----------  ----------
                                                          ----------  ----------

Weighted average common shares and common share 
  equivalents outstanding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    10,618      10,618
                                                          ----------  ----------
                                                          ----------  ----------

            See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                       PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                 Three Months Ended March 30, 1996 and April 1, 1995
                               (Dollars in thousands)
                                     (Unaudited)



                                                             1996        1995  
                                                          ----------  ---------
                                                                
Cash flows from operating activities:
 Net earnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $     941      1,162
 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used
  in operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . .     3,242      2,875
   Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       142       (467)
   Provision for doubtful accounts . . . . . . . . . . . .        31        172
   Loss on disposal of property, plant, and equipment. . .         5          1
   Changes in assets and liabilities:
     Trade receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    11,534     20,256
     Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   (12,386)   (23,914)
     Accounts payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    (1,647)     7,159
     Accrued expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      (946)    (3,541)
     Other assets and liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . .    (2,925)      (727)
                                                          ----------  ---------
      Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities.    (2,009)     2,976
                                                          ----------  ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
 Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment. . .        15         10
 Purchases of property, plant, and equipment . . . . . . .      (773)    (2,546)
 Payments for businesses purchased . . . . . . . . . . . .       (59)    (1,773)
                                                           ----------  ---------
      Net cash used in investing activities. . . . . . . .      (817)    (4,309)
                                                          ----------  ----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
 Net borrowings (payments) on revolving credit loans . . .    19,600     (2,050)
 Increase (decrease) in checks not yet presented for
  payment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    (4,016)     3,780
 Principal payments on long-term debt. . . . . . . . . . .   (12,432)      (262)
 Dividends paid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      (531)         -
 Debt issuance costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         -       (281)
                                                          ----------  ----------
      Net cash provided by financing activities. . . . . .     2,621      1,187
                                                          ----------  ----------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
 equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1          3
                                                          ----------  ----------
Net change in cash and cash equivalents. . . . . . . . . .      (204)      (143)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period . . . . .       411        571
                                                          ----------  ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period . . . . . . . . $     207        428
                                                          ----------  ----------
                                                          ----------  ----------
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
 Cash paid during the period for:
  Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $   4,853      4,610
  Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     1,138      1,370

             See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements



                       PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

                     NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                          (Tables in thousands of dollars)

(1)  Basis of Presentation

     The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all
adjustments, consisting of normal, recurring adjustments and accruals, which
are, in the opinion of management, necessary for fair presentation of the
results of operations and financial position.  Certain reclassifications have
been made to conform prior year financial statements to the current period
classifications.  The consolidated financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the financial statements included in the Company's annual
report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March
29, 1996 for the fiscal year ended December 30, 1995. 


(2)  Inventories

     Inventories consisted of the following at March 30, 1996 and December 30,
     1995:



                                                              1996       1995   
                                                          ----------  ----------
                                                                
      Finished goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $  50,132      37,670
      Work-in-process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    34,142      35,980
      Raw materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    33,548      31,851
      Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     1,999       1,903
                                                          ----------  ----------
                                                           $ 119,821     107,404
                                                          ----------  ----------
                                                          ----------  ----------


(3)  Earnings per Common Share

     Earnings per common share and common share equivalent are based on the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding and equivalent shares from
dilutive stock options, if any.  As of March 30, 1996 and April 1, 1995, there
were stock options outstanding for 554,616 and 363,941 common shares, 
respectively.  Stock options are excluded from the calculations since they have
no material dilutive effect on per share data.


(4)  Acquisitions

     In the first quarter of 1996 and fiscal year ended December 30, 1995, the
Company made payments and capitalized certain costs related to acquisitions
completed in 1994.



Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations

 
  The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the attached
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, and with the Company's
audited financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended
December 30, 1995.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  NET SALES.  Net sales for the three months ended March  30, 1996 increased
$6,054,000 (6.4%) to $100,794,000 compared to $94,740,000 for the same period in
1995, due to additional sales of core products in the Pillowtex Division.

  GROSS PROFIT.  The gross profit percentage for the first quarter ended March 
30, 1996 decreased to 15.4% compared to 17.4% for the first quarter of 1995. 
This decline was due to a number of factors, including higher raw materials
costs, several days of manufacturing disruption caused by bad weather,
promotional pricing and a slower than expected phase-in of the Company's new
cotton yarn spinning facility in Newton, North Carolina.

  SG&A.  Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses for the three
months ended March 30, 1996 increased slightly, by $43,000 (.4%) to $10,614,000
from $10,571,000 for the same period in 1995.   SG&A expenses decreased as a
percentage of sales to 10.5% in the first quarter of 1996 as compared to 11.2%
for the same period in 1995.  This percentage decrease reflects the Company's
continuing efforts to contain SG&A expenses.

  INTEREST.  Interest expense for the first quarter of 1996 decreased $538,000
(13.7%) to $3,398,000 from $3,936,000 for the same period in 1995, due
principally to lower debt levels, reduced carrying costs on lower inventory and
decreased average interest rates.

  NET EARNINGS.  Net earnings for the three months ended March 30, 1996
decreased $221,000 (19.0%) to $941,000, or $.09 per share, compared to net
earnings of $1,162,000, or $.11 per share, for the same period in 1995.  Net
earnings for the three months ended March 30, 1996 decreased as a percentage of
sales to .9% from 1.2% for the same period in 1995.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

  As of March 30, 1996, the outstanding principal balance under the Company's
$150,000,000 secured revolving credit facility was $85,200,000, with $11,212,000
committed to outstanding letters of credit and unused availability was
$53,588,000.  Availability under the revolving credit facility is regulated by a
borrowing base determined by reference to the Company's accounts receivable and
inventory.  The outstanding balance under the Company's $90,000,000 term loan
was $75,400,000.  The Company believes that cash flow generated from operations
and funds available under the credit facilities will be sufficient to satisfy
working capital and financing needs for the foreseeable future.

GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS

  In past years, the Company has dealt with a variety of import issues,
including the early China quota closing for imports of finished down comforters,
comforter shells and comforter covers.  The Company lessened its reliance on
China imports by manufacturing more product in the United States and Canada and




by sourcing goods in other countries.  In addition, in 1995 a change was made
in the import regulations regarding down comforter shells which are not
generally manufactured in the United States.  The Company believes that no
import quota restrictions for shells will remain after July 1, 1996, which
would enable the Company to import shells as needed and thereby reduce 
inventory carrying costs.
  
  Products that the Company imports from China currently receive preferential
tariff treatment accorded goods from countries granted "most favored nation"
status.  Under the Trade Act of 1974, the President of the United States is
authorized, upon making specified findings, to waive certain restrictions that
would otherwise render China ineligible for most favored nation treatment.  The
President has waived these provisions each year since 1979.  However, in
response to recent trade and military activities by China, Congress may
encourage the President to reconsider the renewal of most favored nation status
for China in June of 1996 and no assurance can be given that China will continue
to enjoy this status in the future.  Raw materials and finished products
entering the United States from China without the benefit of most favored nation
treatment would be subject to significantly higher duty rates.  However, the
Company believes that the loss of China's most favored nation status is not
likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition or results of operations.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

  Statements contained in this Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 30, 1996
that are not historical facts, including, but not limited to, statements found
in this Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations, are forward-looking statements and involve a number of
risks and uncertainties.  The actual results of the future events described in
such forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q could differ materially from
those stated in such forward-looking statements.  Among the factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially are:  adverse retail industry
conditions, industry competition and other competitive factors, government
regulation and possible future litigation, loss of material customers,
seasonality of business, and the termination of key license agreements, as
well as the risks and uncertainties discussed in this Form 10-Q.




PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K



 (a) Exhibits

      10   Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of March 30, 1996,
           between Pillowtex Corporation and NationsBank of Texas, N.A.

      27   Financial Data Schedule

 (b) Reports on Form 8-K

      The Company did not file any report on Form 8-K during the period covered
      by this report.




                                      SIGNATURE

  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



(REGISTRANT)      PILLOWTEX CORPORATION
BY (SIGNATURE)    /s/ Jeffrey D. Cordes
(NAME AND TITLE)  Jeffrey D. Cordes, Executive Vice President and
                  Chief Financial Officer
(DATE)            May 10, 1996



                                  INDEX TO EXHIBITS




Exhibit                                                   Method of Filing      
- - -------                                           ------------------------------
                                                         
  10   Second Amendment to Credit Agreement,
       dated as of March 30, 1996, between
       Pillowtex Corporation and NationsBank
       of Texas, N.A.  . . . . . . . . . . . . .   Filed herewith electronically

  27   Financial Data Schedule. . . . . . . . .    Filed herewith electronically