AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON  DECEMBER 12, 1996
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-_____
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                             ---------------------------

                                       FORM S-4
                                REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                        UNDER
                              THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                             ---------------------------

                                PILLOWTEX CORPORATION
                (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

     TEXAS                       2392                      75-2147728
(State or Other      (Primary Standard Industrial       (I.R.S. Employer
Jurisdiction of      Classification Code Number)     Identification Number)
Incorporation or
Organization)

                                    4111 MINT WAY
                                 DALLAS, TEXAS 75237
            (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
               area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

                                ---------------------

                                  JEFFREY D. CORDES
                               CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                                PILLOWTEX CORPORATION
                                    4111 MINT WAY
                                 DALLAS, TEXAS 75237
              (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                      including area code, of agent for service)
                                      COPIES TO:
                                  RONALD J. FRAPPIER
                                 JENKENS & GILCHRIST,
                              A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
                             1445 ROSS AVENUE, SUITE 3200
                                 DALLAS, TEXAS 75202


    APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:  As soon
as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

    If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. [   ]

                                ---------------------

                           CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

                                                        Proposed Maximum  Proposed Maximum
   Title of Each Class of                  Amount to      Offering Price       Aggregate          Amount of
Securities to be Registered              be Registered        per Unit (1)    Offering Price (1)  Registration Fee
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  
10% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006    $125,000,000         100%         $125,000,000           $37,879


 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee in
    accordance with Rule 457(f) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT THAT SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.



INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT.  A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.  THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE.  THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AND OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.

                    SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 12, 1996


                                PILLOWTEX CORPORATION
                                  OFFER TO EXCHANGE
                                   ALL OUTSTANDING
                        10% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2006
                     ($125,000,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OUTSTANDING)
                     FOR 10% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2006

    The Exchange Offer and withdrawal rights will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on _________ ___,  1997 (as such date may be extended, the
"Expiration Date").

    Pillowtex Corporation, a Texas corporation ("Pillowtex" or the "Company"),
hereby offers (the "Exchange Offer"), upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Prospectus and the accompanying letter of
transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"), to exchange $1,000 in principal
amount of its 10% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 (the "New Notes") for each
$1,000 in principal amount of its outstanding 10% Senior Subordinated Notes due
2006 (the "Old Notes") (the Old Notes and the New Notes are collectively
referred to herein as the "Notes").  An aggregate principal amount of
$125,000,000 of Old Notes is outstanding.  See "The Exchange Offer."

    Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account pursuant to
the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such New Notes.  The Letter of Transmittal states
that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will
not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").  This Prospectus, as
it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-
dealer in connection with resales of New Notes received in exchange for Notes
where such Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-
making activities or other trading activities.  The Company has agreed that,
starting on the Expiration Date and ending on the close of business one year
after the Expiration Date, it will make this Prospectus available to any
broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale.  See "Plan of
Distribution."

    The Company will accept for exchange any and all Old Notes that are validly
tendered prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.
Tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the Expiration Date.  The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon
any minimum principal amount of the Old Notes being tendered for exchange.
However, the Exchange Offer is subject to the terms and provisions of the
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 12, 1996 (the "Registration
Rights Agreement"), among the Company, each domestic subsidiary of the Company
and NationsBanc Capital Markets, Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated (the "Initial Purchasers").  The Old Notes may be tendered only in
multiples of $1,000.  See "The Exchange Offer."

                                                        (continued on next page)


SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 9 HEREIN FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN RISKS
THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY HOLDERS IN EVALUATING THE EXCHANGE OFFER

  THE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR  HAS  THE
        SECURITIES  AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES  COM-
           MISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
          ANY  REPRESENTATION  TO  THE  CONTRARY  IS  A  CRIMINAL  OFFENSE.

                         ------------------------------------

                THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS ____________ ___, 1997



    The Old Notes were issued in a transaction (the "Prior Offering") pursuant
to which the Company issued an aggregate of $125,000,000 principal amount of the
Old Notes to the Initial Purchasers on November 12, 1996 pursuant to a Purchase
Agreement, dated November 6, 1996 (the "Purchase Agreement"), among the Company,
the Company's domestic subsidiaries and the Initial Purchasers.  The Initial
Purchasers subsequently resold the Old Notes in reliance on Rule 144A under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").  The Company and the
Initial Purchasers also entered into the Registration Rights Agreement, pursuant
to which the Company granted certain registration rights for the benefit of the
holders of the Old Notes.  The Exchange Offer is intended to satisfy certain of
the Company's obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement with respect
to the Old Notes.  See "The Exchange Offer--Purpose and Effect."

    The Old Notes were, and the New Notes will be, issued under the Indenture,
dated as of November 12, 1996 (the "Indenture"), among the Company and Bank One,
Columbus, N.A., as trustee (in such capacity, the "Trustee").   The form and
terms of the New Notes will be identical in all material respects to the form
and terms of the Old Notes, except that (i) the New Notes have been registered
under the Securities Act and, therefore, will not bear legends restricting the
transfer thereof, (ii) holders of New Notes will not be entitled to liquidated
damages equal to $.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of Old Notes held by
such holders (up to a maximum amount of $0.30 per week per $1,000 principal
amount) otherwise payable under the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement
in respect of the Old Notes held by such holders during any period in which a
Registration Default (as defined herein) is continuing (the "Liquidated
Damages") and (iii) holders of New Notes will not be, and upon the consummation
of the Exchange Offer, holders of Old Notes will no longer be, entitled to
certain rights under the Registration Rights Agreement intended for the holders
of unregistered securities.  The Exchange Offer shall be deemed consummated upon
the occurrence of the delivery by the Company to Bank One, Columbus, N.A., as
registrar of the Old Notes (in such capacity, the "Registrar") under the
Indenture of New Notes in the same aggregate principal amount as the aggregate
principal amount of Old Notes that are validly tendered by holders thereof
pursuant to the Exchange Offer.  See "The Exchange Offer--Termination of Certain
Rights," "--Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" and "Description of Notes."

    The New Notes will bear interest at a rate equal to 10% per annum.
Interest on the New Notes is payable semiannually, commencing May 15, 1997, on
May 15 and November 15 of each year (each, an "Interest Payment Date") and shall
accrue from November 12, 1996 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date with
respect to the Old Notes to which interest was paid or duly provided for.  The
New Notes will mature on November 15, 2006.  See "Description of Notes."

    The New Notes will not be redeemable at the Company's option prior to
November 15, 2001.  Thereafter, the New Notes will be redeemable by the Company
at the redemption prices and subject to the conditions set forth in "Description
of Notes--Optional Redemption."  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as
defined herein), the Company will be required to make an offer to repurchase all
outstanding New Notes at 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus
accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of purchase.  There is
no assurance that the Company will have adequate funds to repurchase the New
Notes upon a Change in Control.  See "Description of Notes--Repurchase at the
Option of Holders--Change of Control."

    The New Notes will be general unsecured obligations of the Company
subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future Senior Indebtedness
(as defined herein) of the Company, including borrowings under the Restated
Credit Agreement, as amended, dated November 12, 1996 (the "Credit Agreement").
The New Notes will also be effectively subordinated to all of the indebtedness
of the Subsidiaries.  As of November 30, 1996, the Notes were subordinate to
approximately $104.7 million of Senior Indebtedness.  Under the Credit
Agreement, the Company had an unfunded commitment of $81.3 million at
November 30, 1996 which, if funded, would be Senior Indebtedness.   See
"Description of Notes."  See also "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
The Indenture permits the Company and its Subsidiaries to incur additional
indebtedness, including additional Senior Indebtedness, subject to certain
financial covenants.

    Based on existing interpretations of the Securities Act by the staff of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") set forth in "no-action"
letters issued to third parties, the Company believes that New Notes issued
pursuant to the Exchange Offer to any holder of Old Notes in exchange for Old
Notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by such holder
(other than a broker-dealer who purchased Old Notes directly from the Company or
resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act or any other available
exemption under the Securities Act)


                                     (i)                (continued on next page)



without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of
the Securities Act, provided that such holder is not an affiliate of the
Company, is acquiring the New Notes in the ordinary course of business and is
not participating, and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate, in the distribution of the New Notes.  Holders wishing to accept
the Exchange Offer must represent to the Company, as required by the
Registration Rights Agreement, that such conditions have been met.  In addition,
if such holder is not a broker-dealer, it must represent that it is not engaged
in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of the New Notes.  Each
broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account pursuant to the
Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of such New Notes.  See "The Exchange Offer--Resales of the New
Notes."  This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to
time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of New Notes
received in exchange for Old Notes where such Old Notes were acquired by such
broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities.

    As of November 30, 1996, Cede & Co. ("Cede"), as nominee for The Depository
Trust Company, New York, New York ("DTC"), was the sole registered holder of the
Old Notes and held the Old Notes for 58 of its participants.  The Company
believes that no such participant is an affiliate (as such term is defined in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act) of the Company.  There has previously been only
a limited secondary market, and no public market, for the Old Notes.  The Old
Notes are eligible for trading in the Private Offering, Resales and Trading
through Automatic Linkages ("PORTAL") market.  In addition, the Initial
Purchasers have advised the Company that they currently intend to make a market
in the New Notes; however, the Initial Purchasers are not obligated to do so and
any market making activities may be discontinued by the Initial Purchasers at
any time.  Therefore, there can be no assurance that an active market for the
New Notes will develop.  If such a trading market develops for the New Notes,
future trading prices will depend on many factors, including, among other
things, prevailing interest rates, the Company's results of operations and the
market for similar securities.  Depending on such factors, the New Notes may
trade at a discount from their face value.  See "Risk Factors--Absence of Public
Market."

    The Company will not receive any proceeds from this Exchange Offer.
Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will bear certain
registration expenses.

    THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE TO, NOR WILL THE COMPANY ACCEPT
SURRENDERS FOR EXCHANGE FROM, HOLDERS OF OLD NOTES IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH
THE EXCHANGE OFFER OR THE ACCEPTANCE THEREOF WOULD NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE
SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

    The Old Notes were issued originally in global form (the "Global Old
Note").  The Global Old Note was deposited with, or on behalf of, the DTC, as
the initial depository with respect to the Old Notes (in such capacity, the
"Depository").   The Global Old Note is registered in the name of Cede, as
nominee of DTC, and beneficial interests in the Global Old Note are shown on,
and transfers thereof are effected only through, records maintained by the
Depository and its participants.  The use of the Global Old Note to represent
certain of the Old Notes permits the Depository's participants, and anyone
holding a beneficial interest in an Old Note registered in the name of such a
participant, to transfer interests in the Old Notes electronically in accordance
with the Depository's established procedures without the need to transfer a
physical certificate.  New Notes issued in exchange for the Global Old Note will
also be issued initially as a note in global form (the "Global New Note," and,
together with the Global Old Note, the "Global Notes") and deposited with, or on
behalf of, the Depository.  After the initial issuance of the Global New Note,
New Notes in certificated form will be issued in exchange for a holder's
proportionate interest in the Global New Note only as set forth in the
Indenture.


                                    (ii)                



                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            PAGE

AVAILABLE INFORMATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
RISK FACTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
THE EXCHANGE OFFER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
CAPITALIZATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
  CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
MANAGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . 43
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
DESCRIPTION OF NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
DESCRIPTION OF CREDIT AGREEMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
LEGAL MATTERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
EXPERTS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F-1


                                   (iii)



                                AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith, is required to file periodic reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Commission relating to its business, financial condition
and other matters.  Such information is available for inspection at the public
reference facilities of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC
20549, and at the regional offices of the Commission located at Seven World
Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, NY 10048 and Citicorp Center, 500 West
Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60661.  Copies of such information are
obtainable, by mail, upon payment of the Commission's customary charges, by
writing to the Commission's principal office at 450 Fifth Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20549.  Such material is also available for inspection at the
library of the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"), 20 Broad Street, New York,
New York 10005.  The Commission maintains a web site (http://www.sec.gov) that
contains reports proxy and information statements and other information
regarding registrants that file documents electronically with the Commission.
The Common Stock is listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol "PTX."

     The Company has agreed that, whether or not it is required to do so by the
rules and regulations of the Commission, for so long as any of the Notes remain
outstanding, it will furnish to the holders of Notes and submit to the
Commission (unless the Commission will not accept such materials) (i) all
quarterly and annual financial information that would be required to be
contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company
were required to file such forms, including a "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and, with respect to
the annual information only, a report thereon by the Company's independent
accountants, and (ii) all reports that would be required to be filed with the
Commission on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file such reports.  In
addition, for so long as any of the Notes remain outstanding, the Company has
agreed to make available to any prospective purchaser of Notes in connection
with any sale thereof the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the
Securities Act.

                      NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

     INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS CONTAINS "FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS" WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT
OF 1995, WHICH CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THE USE OF FORWARD-LOOKING TERMINOLOGY SUCH
AS "MAY, " "WILL," "EXPECT," "ANTICIPATE," "ESTIMATE" OR "CONTINUE" OR THE
NEGATIVE THEREOF OR OTHER VARIATIONS THEREON OR COMPARABLE TERMINOLOGY.  THE
STATEMENTS IN "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 9 OF THIS PROSPECTUS CONSTITUTE
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS IDENTIFYING IMPORTANT FACTORS, INCLUDING CERTAIN RISKS AND
UNCERTAINTIES, WITH RESPECT TO SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT COULD CAUSE
ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE REFLECTED IN SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS.


                                         (iv)



                                  PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY INFORMATION IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY, AND
SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH, THE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL
DATA, INCLUDING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND RELATED NOTES THERETO, APPEARING
ELSEWHERE HEREIN.  UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES, THE TERM "COMPANY" OR
"PILLOWTEX" INCLUDES PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES.  FOR A
DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN MATTERS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE
PARTICIPANTS IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER, SEE "RISK FACTORS."

                                     THE COMPANY

     Pillowtex, founded in 1954, is a leading North American designer,
manufacturer and marketer of bed pillows, blankets, mattress pads and down
comforters.  Other complementary bedroom textile furnishings offered by the
Company include comforter covers, featherbeds, pillow protectors, decorative
pillows, bedspreads, synthetic comforters, pillow shams, dust ruffles and window
treatments.  Pillowtex has positioned itself as a single-source supplier to
retailers for bedroom textile furnishings (other than sheets), offering a broad
assortment of products across multiple price points.


     The Company markets its products to virtually all major retailers through
channels of distribution that include department and specialty stores, mass
merchants, discounters and catalogs, as well as institutional suppliers.  The
Company believes it is one of the principal suppliers of bedroom textile
products to several of the largest retailers in the United States, including
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (including Wal-Mart and Sam's Club) ("Wal-Mart"), Dayton
Hudson Corporation (including Dayton's, Hudson's, Mervyn's, Marshall Field's and
Target) ("Dayton Hudson") and Federated Allied Department Stores (including
Macy's, Bloomingdale's and Burdine's) ("Federated").  See "Business--Marketing,
Sales and Distribution."

     Pillowtex markets its products under numerous Company-owned trademarks and
trade names and customer-owned private labels, as well as certain licensed
trademarks.  Pillowtex uses trademarks, trade names and private labels as
merchandising tools to assist its customers in coordinating their product
offerings and differentiating their products from those of their competitors.
Pillowtex holds an exclusive license for the highly regarded Ralph Lauren Home
Collection for pillows, down comforters and blankets, and a non-exclusive
license for a variety of other bedroom textile products.  The Company has also
entered into various trademark license agreements under which it markets
pillows, down comforters, blankets and related products.  Such licenses include
Cannon-Registered Trademark-, Royal Velvet-Registered Trademark-,
Charisma-Registered Trademark-, Touch of Class-Registered Trademark-,
Comforel-Registered Trademark-, Martex-Registered Trademark-, Mickey &
Co.-Registered Trademark- and Dacron-Registered Trademark-.

     Pillowtex operates an extensive network of manufacturing and distribution
facilities in Texas, California, Illinois, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Toronto, Canada.  The Company's
nationwide manufacturing and distribution network enables Pillowtex to ship
pillows, mattress pads and down comforters cost effectively to all major cities
in the United States and Canada.  The hub of the network for pillows and down
comforters is located in Dallas, Texas, where the Company operates what it
believes to be the largest feather and down processing facility in North
America, as well as an automated, high speed pillow shell manufacturing
facility.  Raw materials for bed pillows and down comforters undergo initial
processing at the Dallas locations, which yields significant economies of scale,
and are shipped to the Company's regional facilities for final assembly and
distribution to customers.  The Company produces blankets at manufacturing
facilities in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.  These plants
provide full vertical production capability, including spinning, weaving, dying
and finishing.

                                  BUSINESS STRATEGY

     Pillowtex's business strategy is to capitalize on the strengths that have
distinguished the Company as a preferred supplier of high quality bedroom
textile products in North America.  These strengths include the ability to:

- -    provide customers with a "one-stop shop" for a broad array of
     top-of-the-bed product lines (excluding sheets) across multiple price
     points, with an emphasis on higher margin products;

- -    maintain strong customer relationships by offering comprehensive
     merchandising programs and promotional support tools, and by maximizing the
     Company's product assortments and array of licensed and Company-owned


                                          1




     trademarks, trade names and brands, with a focus on encouraging consumers
     to "trade up" to higher margin products;

- -    leverage its nationwide production and distribution network, which provides
     comprehensive capability in electronic data interchange ("EDI") and "quick
     response" shipments to major retailers;

- -    enhance the Company's position as a low cost producer, both operationally
     and in selling, general and administrative expenses, through increased
     automation, process improvements, system controls and expansion of cost
     effective international supply sources; and

- -    identify acquisitions that will complement the Company's current product
     lines and provide business synergies.

     Pillowtex was incorporated in 1954 as an Illinois corporation and was
reincorporated in 1986 as a Texas corporation.  The Company's common stock is
traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "PTX." The Company's
corporate offices are located at 4111 Mint Way, Dallas, Texas 75237 and its
telephone number is (214) 333-3225.

                                  RECENT DEVELOPMENT

     On November 18, 1996, the Company purchased (the "Acquisition") certain
assets from the blanket division of Fieldcrest Cannon, Inc. ("Fieldcrest")
pursuant to the terms of an Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 3,
1996.  The Acquisition involved the purchase by the Company of the following
assets for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $31.5 million: (i) an
exclusive worldwide trademark and related intellectual property license (the
"License Agreement") with respect to blankets, throws, pillows, mattress pads,
down comforters, featherbeds and related items; (ii) blanket inventory;
(iii) equipment and machinery used in connection with the manufacture of
blankets and throws; (iv) certain personal property leases for equipment; and
(v) the assumption of certain contracts relating to the business of Fieldcrest's
blanket division.  The Company has allocated the purchase price among the
classes of assets as follows: $20.5 million for the blanket inventory (which the
Company expects to be adjusted to approximately $15.5 million upon final
verification of inventory levels as of the closing date; however, there can be
no assurance to that effect); $7.0 million for machinery and equipment; and
$4.0 million for intangibles.  The Company intends to integrate substantially
all of the acquired equipment and machinery into its existing blanket
manufacturing operations on or before April 1, 1997.

     The License Agreement provides for a 25-year worldwide exclusive right to
market certain products under the Fieldcrest family of trademarks, which include
Fieldcrest-Registered Trademark-, Cannon-Registered Trademark-, Royal
Velvet-Registered Trademark-, Charisma-Registered Trademark- and Touch of
Class-Registered Trademark- (the "Licensed Marks").  These products include all
types of blankets and throws (the "Blanket Products"), as well as bed pillows,
mattress pads and down comforters (the "Pillow Products").  The Company formerly
marketed and sold the Pillow Products under a trademark license with Fieldcrest.
The royalty rate applicable to the sale of Pillow Products under the License
Agreement is lower than the average royalty rate on the sale of such products
under the former license agreement.  If the reduced royalty rate applicable to
the sale of the Pillow Products under the License Agreement had been in effect
for the year ended December 30, 1995 and the nine months ended September 28,
1996, the royalty payments under the existing license agreement for such periods
would have been reduced by $295,000 and $192,000, respectively.

                                  THE PRIOR OFFERING

     The outstanding $125.0 million principal amount of Old Notes were sold by
the Company to the Initial Purchasers on November 12, 1996, pursuant to the
Purchase Agreement.  The Initial Purchasers subsequently resold the Old Notes in
reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act.  The Company and the Initial
Purchasers also entered into the Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to which
the Company granted certain registration rights for the benefit of the holders
of the Old Notes.  The Exchange Offer is intended to satisfy certain of the
Company's obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement with respect to
the Old Notes.  See"The Exchange Offer--Purpose and Effect."


                                          2




                                  THE EXCHANGE OFFER

The Exchange Offer ........   The Company is offering upon the terms and subject
                              to the conditions set forth herein and in the
                              Letter of Transmittal to exchange the New Notes
                              for the outstanding Old Notes.  As of the date of
                              this Prospectus, $125.0 million in aggregate
                              principal amount of the Old Notes is outstanding,
                              the maximum amount authorized by the Indenture for
                              all Notes.  As of November 12, 1996, there was one
                              registered holder of the Old Notes, Cede & Co.,
                              which held the Old Notes for ___ of its
                              participants.  See "The Exchange Offer--Terms of
                              the Exchange Offer."

Expiration Date . . . . . .   5:00 p.m., New York City time, on _______ __, 1997
                              as the same may be extended.  See "The Exchange
                              Offer--Expiration Date; Extensions; Amendments."

Conditions of the
  Exchange Offer. . . . . .   The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any
                              minimum principal amount of Old Notes being
                              tendered for exchange.  The only condition to the
                              Exchange Offer is the declaration by the
                              Commission of the effectiveness of the
                              Registration Statement of which this Prospectus
                              constitutes a part (the "Exchange Offer
                              Registration Statement").  See "The Exchange
                              Offer--Conditions of the Exchange Offer."

Termination of Certain
  Rights. . . . . . . . . .   Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and
                              the Old Notes, holders of Old Notes (i) have
                              rights to receive Liquidated Damages and (ii) have
                              certain rights intended for the holders of
                              unregistered securities.  "Liquidated Damages"
                              means damages of $0.05 per week per $1,000
                              principal amount of Old Notes (up to a maximum of
                              $0.30 per week per $1,000 principal amount) during
                              the period in which a Registration Default is
                              continuing pursuant to the terms of the
                              Registration Rights Agreement.  Holders of New
                              Notes will not be and, upon consummation of the
                              Exchange Offer, holders of Old Notes will no
                              longer be, entitled to (i) the right to receive
                              the Liquidated Damages or (ii) certain other
                              rights under the Registration Rights Agreement
                              intended for holders of unregistered securities.
                              See "The Exchange Offer--Termination of Certain
                              Rights" and "Procedures for Tendering Old Notes."

Accrued Interest. . . . . .   The New Notes will bear interest at a rate equal
                              to 10% per annum.  Interest shall accrue from
                              November 12, 1996 or from the most recent Interest
                              Payment Date with respect to the Old Notes to
                              which interest was paid or duly provided for.  See
                              "Description of Notes--Principal, Maturity and
                              Interest."

Procedures for Tendering
  Old Notes . . . . . . . .   Unless a tender of Old Notes is effected pursuant
                              to the procedures for book-entry transfer as
                              provided herein, each holder desiring to accept
                              the Exchange Offer must complete and sign the
                              Letter of Transmittal, have the signature thereon
                              guaranteed if required by the Letter of
                              Transmittal, and mail or deliver the Letter of
                              Transmittal, together with the Old Notes or a
                              Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (as defined in the
                              Letter of Transmittal) and any other required
                              documents (such as evidence of authority to act,
                              if the Letter of Transmittal is signed by someone
                              acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity),
                              to the Exchange Agent (as defined herein) at the
                              address set forth on the back cover page of this
                              Prospectus prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time,
                              on the Expiration Date.  Any Beneficial Owner (as
                              defined herein) of the Old Notes whose Old Notes
                              are registered in the name of a nominee, such as a
                              broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company
                              and who wishes to tender Old Notes in the Exchange
                              Offer, should instruct such entity or person to
                              promptly tender on such Beneficial Owner's behalf.
                              See "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering
                              Old Notes."


                                          3




Guaranteed Delivery
  Procedures. . . . . . . .   Holders of Old Notes who wish to tender their Old
                              Notes and (i) whose Old Notes are not immediately
                              available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Old
                              Notes or any other documents required by the
                              Letter of Transmittal to the Exchange Agent prior
                              to the Expiration Date (or complete the procedure
                              for book-entry transfer on a timely basis), may
                              tender their Old Notes according to the guaranteed
                              delivery procedures set forth in the Letter of
                              Transmittal.  See "The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed
                              Delivery Procedures."

Acceptance of Old Notes and
  Delivery of New Notes . .   Upon effectiveness of the Exchange Offer
                              Registration Statement of which this Prospectus
                              constitutes a part and consummation of the
                              Exchange Offer, the Company will accept any and
                              all Old Notes that are properly tendered in the
                              Exchange Offer prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City
                              time, on the Expiration Date.  The New Notes
                              issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be
                              delivered promptly after acceptance of the Old
                              Notes.  See "The Exchange Offer--Acceptance of Old
                              Notes for Exchange; Delivery of New Notes."

Withdrawal Rights . . . . .   Tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn at any time
                              prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
                              Expiration Date.  See "The Exchange
                              Offer--Withdrawal Rights."

The Exchange Agent. . . . .   Bank One, Columbus, N.A. is the exchange agent (in
                              such capacity, the "Exchange Agent").  The address
                              and telephone number of the Exchange Agent are set
                              forth in "The Exchange Offer--The Exchange Agent;
                              Assistance."

Fees and Expenses . . . . .   All expenses incident to the Company's
                              consummation of the Exchange Offer and compliance
                              with the Registration Rights Agreement will be
                              borne by the Company.  The Company will also pay
                              certain transfer taxes applicable to the Exchange
                              Offer.  See "The Exchange Offer--Fees and
                              Expenses."

Resales of the New
  Notes . . . . . . . . . .   Based on existing interpretations by the staff of
                              the Commission set forth in "no-action" letters
                              issued to third parties, the Company believes that
                              New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer to
                              a holder in exchange for Old Notes may be offered
                              for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by a
                              holder (other than (i) a broker-dealer who
                              purchased the Old Notes directly from the Company
                              for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the
                              Securities Act or any other available exemption
                              under the Securities Act or (ii) a person that is
                              an affiliate of the Company within the meaning of
                              Rule 405 under the Securities Act), without
                              compliance with the registration and prospectus
                              delivery provisions of the Securities Act,
                              provided that such Holder is acquiring the New
                              Notes in the ordinary course of business and is
                              not participating, and has no arrangement or
                              understanding with any person to participate, in a
                              distribution of the New Notes.  Each broker-dealer
                              that receives New Notes for its own account in
                              exchange for Old Notes, where such Old Notes were
                              acquired by such broker as a result of
                              market-making or other trading activities, must
                              acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
                              connection with any resale of such New Notes.  See
                              "The Exchange Offer--Resales of the New Notes" and
                              "Plan of Distribution."

Effect of Not Tendering
  Old Notes for Exchange. .   Old Notes that are not tendered or that are not
                              properly tendered will, following the expiration
                              of the Exchange Offer, continue to be subject to
                              the existing restrictions upon transfer thereof.
                              The Company will have no further obligations to
                              provide for the registration under the Securities
                              Act of such Old Notes and such Old Notes will,
                              following the expiration of the Exchange Offer,
                              bear interest at the same rate as the New Notes.


                                          4




                               DESCRIPTION OF NEW NOTES

     The form and terms of the New Notes will be identical in all material
respects to the form and terms of the Old Notes, except that (i) the New Notes
have been registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, will not bear
legends restricting the transfer thereof, (ii) holders of the New Notes will not
be entitled to Liquidated Damages and (iii) holders of the New Notes will not
be, and upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, holders of the Old Notes will
no longer be, entitled to certain rights under the Registration Rights Agreement
intended for the holders of unregistered securities, except in limited
circumstances.  See "Exchange Offer--Termination of Certain Rights."  The
Exchange Offer shall be deemed consummated upon the occurrence of the delivery
by the Company to the Registrar under the Indenture of the New Notes in the same
aggregate principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes that
are tendered by holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.  See "The
Exchange Offer--Termination of Certain Rights," "-- Procedures for Tendering Old
Notes" and "Description of Notes."

Securities Offered. . . . .   $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10%
                              Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006.

Maturity Date . . . . . . .   November 15, 2006.

Interest Payment Dates. . .   May 15 and November 15, commencing May 15, 1997.

Optional Redemption . . . .   On or after November 15, 1997, the Company may
                              redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at the
                              redemption prices set forth herein, plus accrued
                              and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of
                              redemption.

Mandatory Redemption. . . .   None.

Ranking . . . . . . . . . .   The Notes will be general unsecured obligations of
                              the Company, subordinated in right of payment to
                              all existing and future Senior Indebtedness, which
                              will include borrowings under the Credit
                              Agreement.  As of September 28, 1996, on a pro
                              forma basis after giving effect to the Prior
                              Offering and application of the net proceeds
                              therefrom, the Company would have had
                              approximately $96.5 million of outstanding Senior
                              Indebtedness, which would rank senior in right of
                              payment to the Notes.  The Notes also will be
                              effectively subordinated to all indebtedness and
                              other liabilities of the Company's Subsidiaries.
                              The Indenture, pursuant to which the New Notes
                              will be issued, permits the Company and its
                              Subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness,
                              including additional Senior Indebtedness, subject
                              to certain limitations.  See "Description of
                              Notes--Subordination."

Guarantees. . . . . . . . .   The New Notes will be, and the Old Notes are,
                              unconditionally guaranteed (the "Guarantees") on a
                              senior subordinated basis by each of the existing
                              and future domestic subsidiaries of the Company
                              and each other subsidiary of the Company that
                              guarantees the Company's obligations under the
                              Credit Agreement (each a "Guarantor" and,
                              collectively, the "Guarantors").  The Guarantees
                              will be subordinated in right of payment to all
                              existing and future Guarantor Senior Indebtedness
                              (as defined herein) of the relevant Guarantor.
                              See "Description of Notes--Subsidiary Guarantees."

Change of Control . . . . .   Upon a Change of Control, the Company will be
                              required to make an offer to repurchase all
                              outstanding Notes at 101% of the principal amount
                              thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to the
                              date of repurchase.

Covenants . . . . . . . . .   The Indenture restricts, among other things, the
                              Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness
                              and issue preferred stock, incur liens to secure
                              PARI PASSU or subordinated indebtedness, pay
                              dividends or make certain other restricted
                              payments, apply net proceeds from certain asset
                              sales, enter into certain transactions with
                              affiliates, incur indebtedness that is subordinate
                              in right of payment to any Senior Indebtedness and


                                          5




                              senior in right of payment to the Notes, merge or
                              consolidate with any other person, sell stock of
                              Subsidiaries or sell, assign, transfer, lease,
                              convey or otherwise dispose of substantially all
                              of the Company.  See "Description of
                              Notes--Certain Covenants."

Absence of a Public Market
  for the New Notes . . . .   The New Notes are a new issue of securities with
                              no established market.   Accordingly, there can be
                              no assurance as to the development or liquidity of
                              any market for the New Notes.  The Initial
                              Purchasers have advised the Company that it
                              currently intends to make a market in the New
                              Notes.  However, the Initial Purchasers are not
                              obligated to do so, and any market making with
                              respect to the New Notes may be discontinued at
                              any time without notice.  The Company does not
                              intend to apply for listing of the New Notes on a
                              securities exchange.

                                     RISK FACTORS

     See "Risk Factors" for a discussion of certain factors that should be
considered in evaluating the Exchange Offer.


                                          6


                   SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA



 

                                                                       FISCAL YEAR (1)                      NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                     ------------------------------------------------   ---------------------------
                                                                                                        SEPTEMBER 30,  SEPTEMBER28,
                                                       1991      1992      1993      1994      1995         1995           1996
                                                     ------------------------------------------------   -------------  ------------
                                                                               (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS)
                                                                                                  
STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS DATA:
Net sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         $258,966  $273,462  $291,624  $349,520  $474,899     $332,352       $335,770
Cost of goods sold . . . . . . . . . . . . .          206,626   222,611   238,155   294,714   395,922      275,407        280,272
                                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------     --------       --------
Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           52,340    50,851    53,469    54,806    78,977       56,945         55,498
Selling, general and administrative
   expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           33,227    33,376    29,227    36,399    42,508       32,315         31,170
                                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------     --------       --------
Earnings from operations . . . . . . . . . .           19,113    17,475    24,242    18,407    36,469       24,630         24,328
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            5,283     4,997     3,042     6,361    17,491       12,964         10,279
Other expense (income), net. . . . . . . . .             --       1,049      --        (379)     --           --             --
                                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------     --------       --------
Earnings before income taxes . . . . . . . .           13,830    11,429    21,200    12,425    18,978       11,666         14,049
Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .              626       529     8,420     4,736     7,509        4,678          5,495
                                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------     --------       --------
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          $13,204   $10,900   $12,780    $7,689   $11,469       $6,988         $8,554
                                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------     --------       --------
                                                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------     --------       --------

OTHER DATA:
Depreciation and amortization. . . . . . . .           $2,888    $3,104    $3,868    $6,365   $11,994       $8,767         $9,440
Capital expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . .            3,742     5,869     7,135    10,538    12,448        8,630          2,981
SG&A margin (2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            12.8%     12.2%     10.0%     10.4%      9.0%         9.7%           9.3%
EBITDA (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          $22,001   $19,530   $28,110   $25,151   $48,463      $33,397        $33,768
EBITDA margin (3)(4) . . . . . . . . . . . .             8.5%      7.1%      9.6%      7.2%     10.2%        10.0%          10.1%
Ratio of EBITDA to interest expense (3). . .             4.2x      3.9x      9.2x      4.0x      2.8x         2.6x           3.3x
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (5) . . .             3.4x      3.0x      6.8x      2.8x      2.0x         1.8x           2.2x

PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA (6):
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                                  $19,936      $15,110        $13,879
EBITDA (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                                   48,758       33,605         33,960
Ratio of EBITDA to interest expense (3). . .                                                     2.4x         2.2x           2.4x
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (5) . . .                                                     1.8x         1.6x           1.6x





                                                                                                       PRO
                                                                         AT                          FORMA (7)
                                                       ------------------------------------------  -------------
                                                       DECEMBER 30,  SEPTEMBER 30,  SEPTEMBER 28,  SEPTEMBER 28,
                                                         1995           1995           1996           1996
                                                       ------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                            (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                        
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        $110,128       $149,933       $152,787       $178,287
Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         324,710        373,528        370,670        400,470
Total debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         165,388        212,231        191,676        221,476
Shareholders' equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          87,990         84,438         95,042         95,042



- ----------------------------------
 
(1)      Amounts set forth for the year ended December 31, 1993 reflect the
         inclusion of Manetta Home Fashions, Inc. ("Manetta") from August 30,
         1993, Tennessee Woolen Mills, Inc. ("TWM") from September 7, 1993 and
         Torfeaco Industries Limited ("Torfeaco") from December 1, 1993.
         Amounts set forth for the year ended December 31, 1994 reflect the
         inclusion of Imperial Feather Company ("Imperial") from August 19,
         1994 and Beacon Manufacturing Company ("Beacon") from December 1,
         1994.  The financial information for years 1993 and 1994 has been
         reclassified for certain advertising and royalty fees so as to be
         comparable with the 1995 presentation.  Advertising fees are now
         reported as a reduction of gross sales rather than selling, general
         and administrative ("SG&A") expenses and the royalty fees have been
         reclassified from SG&A expenses to cost of goods sold.

(2)      Represents SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales.

(3)      EBITDA consists of earnings before interest, income taxes,
         extraordinary items and depreciation and amortization expense.  While
         EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to operating income
         or net income, or as an indicator of operating performance or
         liquidity, it is a measure that the Company believes is used commonly
         to evaluate a company's ability to service debt.

(4)      Represents EBITDA as a percentage of net sales.


                                          7




(5)      For purposes of calculating these ratios, earnings represents earnings
         before income taxes plus fixed charges, as defined.  Fixed charges
         consists of interest expense, amortization of debt issuance costs, and
         the portion (approximately one-third) of rental and lease expense,
         which Management believes is representative of the interest component
         of rental and lease expense.

(6)      The pro forma financial data has been calculated giving effect to the
         Prior Offering and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, the
         amendment of the Company's existing Credit Agreement as described in
         "Description of Credit Agreement" and certain cost savings associated
         with the License Agreement entered into in connection with the
         Acquisition as if each such transaction occurred on January 1, 1995.
         However, no other pro forma adjustments have been made with respect to
         the Acquisition, including any revenue and attributable EBITDA
         effects.  Fieldcrest generated approximately $37.0 million of revenues
         from the sale of Blanket Products under the Licensed Marks during the
         year ended December 31, 1995.  However, the Acquisition did not
         involve the purchase of Fieldcrest's Blanket Products business,
         including but not limited to its sales and marketing personnel, its
         product distribution channels or its customer service department.
         While the Company believes that its existing sales, distribution and
         customer service capabilities will support the Company's sales of
         Blanket Products under the Licensed Marks, there can be no assurance
         that the Company will be able to generate revenues from such assets at
         the levels previously achieved by Fieldcrest.  Moreover, the pro forma
         financial data does not purport to represent what the Company's
         results actually would have been if such events had occurred at the
         dates indicated, nor does such information purport to project the
         results of the Company for any future period.  See "-- Recent
         Development" and "Use of Proceeds."

(7)      The pro forma balance sheet data has been calculated giving effect to
         the Prior Offering and the application of the net proceeds therefrom
         as if each occurred on September 28, 1996.


                                          8


                                     RISK FACTORS

    PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE SPECIFIC FACTORS SET
FORTH BELOW, AS WELL AS THE OTHER INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, IN
EVALUATING THE EXCHANGE OFFER.

SIGNIFICANT LEVERAGE AND DEBT SERVICE

    Upon consummation of the Prior Offering, the Company became highly
leveraged.  At September 28, 1996, on a pro forma basis, after giving effect to
the Prior Offering and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, the
Company would have had total consolidated outstanding debt of approximately
$221.5 million. In addition, subject to the restrictions in the Credit Agreement
and the Indenture, the Company and its subsidiaries may incur additional
indebtedness (including additional Senior Indebtedness) from time-to-time to
finance acquisitions or capital expenditures or for general corporate purposes.
Upon the closing of the Prior Offering, the Company had unused borrowing
capacity of up to approximately $89.0 million under a $175.0 million revolving
credit facility (the "Revolver") provided for in the Credit Agreement.

    The level of the Company's indebtedness could have important consequences
to holders of the Notes, including: (i) a substantial portion of the Company's
cash flow from operations must be dedicated to debt service and will not be
available for other purposes; (ii) the Company's ability to obtain additional
debt financing in the future for other acquisitions, working capital, capital
expenditures or research and development may be limited; and (iii) the Company's
level of indebtedness could limit its flexibility in reacting to changes in its
industry or economic conditions generally.

    The Company's ability to pay interest on the Notes and to satisfy its other
debt obligations will depend upon its future operating performance, which will
be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other
factors, certain of which are beyond its control, as well as the availability of
borrowing under the Credit Agreement or any  successor credit agreement.  The
Company will require substantial amounts of cash to fund scheduled payments of
principal and interest on its outstanding indebtedness as well as future capital
expenditures and any increased working capital requirements.  If the Company is
unable to meet its cash requirements out of cash flow from operations and its
available borrowings, there can be no assurance that it will be able to obtain
alternative financing or that it will be permitted to do so under the terms of
the Credit Agreement or other debt instruments.  In the absence of such
financing, the Company's ability to respond to changing business and economic
conditions, to make future acquisitions, to absorb adverse operating results or
to fund capital expenditures or research and development may be adversely
affected.  If the Company does not generate sufficient increases in cash flow
from operations to repay the Notes at maturity, it could attempt to refinance
the Notes; however, no assurance can be given that such a refinancing would be
available on terms acceptable to the Company, if at all.  Any failure by the
Company to satisfy its obligations with respect to the Notes at maturity (with
respect to payments of principal) or prior thereto (with respect to payments of
interest or required repurchases) would constitute a default under the Indenture
and could cause a default under agreements governing other indebtedness, if any,
of the Company.  In addition, there can be no assurance that the Company will
have available the financial resources necessary to repurchase any or all Notes
tendered upon a Change of Control.

SUBORDINATION OF NOTES AND GUARANTEES

    The Old Notes are, and the New Notes will be, subordinated in right of
payment to all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the Company, including
borrowings under the Credit Agreement.  In the event of bankruptcy, liquidation
or reorganization of the Company, the assets of the Company will be available to
pay obligations on the Notes only after all Senior Indebtedness has been paid in
full, and there may not be sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due on any
or all of the Notes then outstanding.  Each Guarantee will be similarly
subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness of the relevant Guarantor, including such Guarantor's guaranty of
the Company's indebtedness under the Credit Agreement.  In addition, under
certain circumstances the Company will not be permitted to pay its obligations
under the Notes in the event of a default under certain Senior Indebtedness.
The aggregate principal amount of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, as of
September 28, 1996 would have been approximately $96.5 million on a pro forma
basis after giving effect to the Acquisition, the Prior Offering and the
application of the net proceeds therefrom. Additional Senior Indebtedness may be
incurred by the Company from time-to-time, subject to certain restrictions.  See
"Description of Notes--Subordination."


                                          9


RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY TERMS OF THE COMPANY'S INDEBTEDNESS

    The Indenture restricts, among other things, the ability of the Company and
its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends or make certain
other restricted payments, incur liens to secure PARI PASSU or subordinated
indebtedness, sell stock of subsidiaries, apply net proceeds from certain asset
sales, merge or consolidate with any other person, sell, assign, transfer,
lease, convey or otherwise dispose of substantially all of the assets of the
Company, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, or incur substantially
all of the assets of the Company, enter into certain transactions with
affiliates, or incur indebtedness that is subordinate in right of payment to any
Senior Indebtedness and senior in right of payment to the Notes.

    The Credit Agreement contains more extensive and restrictive covenants and
restrictions than the Indenture and requires the Company to maintain specified
financial ratios and satisfy certain financial condition tests.  The Company's
ability to meet those financial ratios and tests can be affected by events
beyond its control, and there can be no assurance that the Company will meet
those tests. In addition, the Company's operating and financial flexibility will
be limited by covenants that limit the ability of the Company and its
subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends or make
distributions to its stockholders or make certain other restricted payments,
create certain liens upon assets, apply the proceeds from the dispositions of
certain assets or enter into certain transactions with affiliates.  There can be
no assurance that such covenants will not adversely affect the Company's ability
to finance its future operations or capital needs or to engage in other business
activities which may be in the interests of the Company.  The Credit Agreement
also prohibits the Company from prepaying other indebtedness (including the
Notes) before indebtedness under the Credit Agreement.  A breach of any of these
covenants could result in a default under the Credit Agreement.  Upon the
occurrence of an event of default under the Credit Agreement, the lenders
thereunder could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under the Credit
Agreement, including accrued interest or other obligations, to be immediately
due and payable or proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure that
indebtedness.  If any Senior Indebtedness were to be accelerated, there can be
no assurance that the assets of the Company would be sufficient to repay in full
that indebtedness and the other indebtedness of the Company, including the
Notes.

    As a result of these covenants, the ability of the Company to respond to
changing business and economic conditions and to secure additional financing, if
needed, may be significantly restricted, and the Company may be prevented from
engaging in transactions that might otherwise be considered beneficial to the
Company.  See "Description of Notes--Certain Covenants" and "Description of
Credit Agreement."

FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE STATUTES

    Under applicable provisions of federal bankruptcy law or comparable
provisions of state fraudulent transfer law, if, among other things, the Company
or any Guarantors, at the time it incurred the indebtedness evidenced by the
Notes or its Guarantee, as the case may be, (i)(a) was or is insolvent or
rendered insolvent by reason of such occurrence or (b) was or is engaged in a
business or transaction for which the assets remaining with the Company or such
Guarantor constituted unreasonably small capital or (c) intended or intends to
incur, or believed or believes that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to
pay such debts as they mature, and (ii) the Company or such Guarantor received
or receives less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for the
incurrence of such indebtedness, the Notes and the Guarantee could be voided, or
claims in respect of the Notes or the Guarantees could be subordinated to all
other debts of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be.  The voiding
or subordination of any of such pledges or other security interests or of any of
such indebtedness could result in an Event of Default (as defined in the
Indenture) with respect to such indebtedness, which could result in acceleration
thereof.  In addition, the payment of interest and principal by the Company
pursuant to the Notes or the payment of amounts by a Guarantor pursuant to a
Guarantee could be voided and required to be returned to the person making such
payment, or to a fund for the benefit of the creditors of the Company or such
Guarantor, as the case may be.

    The measures of insolvency for purposes of the foregoing considerations
will vary depending upon the law applied in any proceeding with respect to the
foregoing.  Generally, however, the Company or a Guarantor would be considered
insolvent if (i) the sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities were
greater than the fair saleable value of all of its assets at a fair valuation or
if the present fair saleable value of its assets were less than the amount that
would be required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts, including
contingent liabilities, as they become absolute and mature or (ii) it could not
pay its debts as they become due.


                                          10




    To the extent any Guarantees were voided as a fraudulent conveyance or held
unenforceable for any other reason, holders of Notes would cease to have any
claim in respect of such Guarantor and would-be creditors solely of the Company
and any Guarantor whose Guarantee was not avoided or held unenforceable.  In
such event, the claims of the holders of Notes against the issuer of an invalid
Guarantee would be subject to the prior payment of all liabilities and preferred
stock claims of such Guarantor.  There can be no assurance that, after providing
for all prior claims and preferred stock interests, if any, there would be
sufficient assets to satisfy the claims of the holders of Notes relating to any
voided portions of any of the Guarantees.

    The Company is a holding company whose material assets consist primarily of
the capital stock of the Guarantors and the Company's intellectual property
assets.  Consequently, the Company is dependent upon dividends paid by the
Guarantors to pay its operating expenses, service its debt obligations,
including the Notes, and satisfy any mandatory repurchase obligations relating
to the Notes, as a result of Change of Control or a sale or other disposition of
certain assets.  See "Description of Notes" and "Description of Credit
Agreement."

FUTURE ACQUISITIONS

    The Company expects to continue a strategy of identifying and acquiring
companies with complementary products or services that may be expected to
enhance the Company's operations and profitability. There can be no assurances
that the Company will be able to integrate acquisitions successfully into the
Company's operations or that any of such acquisitions will prove profitable.

DEPENDENCE ON SUPPLY SOURCES IN CHINA

    CONCENTRATION OF SUPPLY SOURCES.  In 1995 and the nine months ended
September 28, 1996, approximately 80% of the raw feather and down that Pillowtex
uses to produce natural fill pillows and down comforters was imported from the
People's Republic of China ("China").  In 1995, the Company opened an office in
Hong Kong to source purchases from China and other far eastern countries of raw
feather and down (some of which is also obtained through an independent supplier
in the United States), comforter shells and comforter covers.

    POSSIBLE DISRUPTION OF SUPPLY SOURCES.  The Company's relationships with
its suppliers in China could be disrupted or adversely affected due to a number
of factors, including governmental regulation, fluctuation in exchange rates,
and changes in economic and political conditions in China.  If the Company's
supply sources in China were disrupted for any reason, the Company believes,
based on existing market conditions, that it could establish alternative supply
relationships.  However, because establishing these relationships involves
numerous uncertainties relating to delivery requirements, price, payment terms,
quality control, and other matters, the Company is unable to predict whether
such relationships would be on terms satisfactory to the Company.  Accordingly,
any significant disruption in the Company's relationships with its suppliers in
China could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations.  See "Business--Manufacturing, Raw
Materials, and Imports."

    IMPORT REGULATIONS.  The Company's relationships with its suppliers in
China are also subject to risks associated with changes in United States
legislation and regulations relating to imports, including quotas, duties and
taxes, and other charges or restrictions on imports.  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.  Most favored nation status was accordingly
renewed in June 1996 despite legislation pursued by Congress that demanded that
China desist from certain trade and military activities.  Congress will continue
to monitor these activities and may encourage the President to reconsider the
renewal of most favored nation status for China in June 1997 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.  See "Business--Manufacturing, Raw Materials and Imports."


                                          11


ADVERSE RETAIL INDUSTRY CONDITIONS

    The Company sells its products to a number of department stores and other
major retailers who have experienced financial difficulties during the past
several years.  Some of the retailers to which the Company sells its products
are currently operating under the protection of federal bankruptcy laws or state
insolvency laws or may file for relief under such laws in the future.  As a
result of these financial difficulties and bankruptcy and insolvency
proceedings, the Company may be unable to collect some or all amounts owed by
these retailers.  Additionally, all or part of the operations of a retailer that
seeks bankruptcy or other debtor protection may be discontinued or sales of the
Company's products to such a retailer may be curtailed or terminated as a result
of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings.  During 1995 and the nine months ended
September 28, 1996, sales to retailers currently operating under the protection
of such laws accounted for approximately 1.6% and 1.3% of Pillowtex's net sales,
respectively.

DEPENDENCE ON KEY LICENSES

    The Company holds licenses with organizations such as Ralph Lauren, Disney,
Fieldcrest, DuPont, the U.S. Postal Service, WestPoint Stevens, Inc., and
others, using such well-known trademarks and trade names as the Ralph Lauren
Home Collection, Mickey & Co.-Registered Trademark-, Cannon-Registered
Trademark-, Royal Velvet-Registered Trademark-, Charisma-Registered Trademark-,
Touch of Class-Registered Trademark-, Martex-Registered Trademark- and
Dacron-Registered Trademark-. Although the significance of specific licenses
varies from year-to-year, a substantial portion of Pillowtex's net sales for
1995 and the nine months ended September 28, 1996, were attributable to products
sold under licensed trademarks and trade names.  These licenses generally
require the payment of royalties based on net sales, including the payment of
minimum annual royalties, and expire at various dates from 1996 to 1999.  No
assurance can be given that Pillowtex will be able to renew these licenses on
terms acceptable to Pillowtex upon their expiration or will be able to acquire
new licenses to use other popular trademarks.  In addition, if Mr. Charles M.
Hansen, Jr., the Company's Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
Officer, ceases to be actively involved in the management of the Company or if
Mr. Hansen and/or John H. Silverthorne, or their immediate families, in the
aggregate, cease to beneficially own at least 40% of the Company's common stock
(the "Common Stock"), the Company's license to market products under the Ralph
Lauren Home Collection will become subject to termination at the option of the
licensor.  The loss of a significant license could have a material adverse
effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

RISK OF LOSS OF MATERIAL CUSTOMERS

    In 1995, sales to Wal-Mart and Dayton Hudson accounted for 13.7% and 12.7%
of the Company's total sales, respectively.  For the nine months ended
September 28, 1996, sales to Wal-Mart and Dayton Hudson accounted for 14.7% and
12.5% of total sales, respectively.  Consistent with industry practice,
Pillowtex does not operate under a long-term written supply contract with
Wal-Mart, Dayton Hudson or any other of its customers.  The Company's business
could be materially adversely affected by the loss of Dayton Hudson or Wal-Mart
as continuing major customers.

POTENTIAL INABILITY TO FUND A CHANGE OF CONTROL OFFER

    Upon a Change of Control as defined in the Indenture, the Company will be
required to offer to repurchase all outstanding Notes at 101% of the principal
amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase and
Liquidated Damages.  However, there can be no assurance that sufficient funds
will be available at the time of any Change of Control to make any required
repurchases of Notes tendered.  Moreover, restrictions in the Credit Agreement
prohibit the Company from making such required repurchases; consequently, any
such repurchases would constitute an event of default under the Credit
Agreement.  There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain
appropriate consents under the Credit Agreement to enable it to fulfill such
repurchase obligations.  Notwithstanding these provisions, the Company could
enter into certain transactions, including certain recapitalizations, that would
not constitute a Change of Control but would increase the amount of debt
outstanding at such time.  See "Description of Notes--Repurchase at the Option
of Holders."

INDUSTRY COMPETITION AND COMPETITIVE FACTORS

    The Company participates in a highly competitive industry.  The Company
competes with a number of established manufacturers, importers and distributors
of home textile furnishings, some of which have greater financial


                                          12


distribution and marketing resources.  The Company's current competitors consist
primarily of domestic suppliers of bed pillows, blankets, mattress pads, down
comforters and other bedroom textile furnishings.  The home fashion products
industry also includes companies that produce bed sheets, towels and other
commodity-type items.  A number of these companies do not currently offer the
Company's principal products.  There can be no assurance, however, that these
companies will not compete with the Company in the future.

    The Company competes on the basis of price, quality, brand names and
service.  The Company believes that the principal competitive factors affecting
its business include its sales and marketing expertise, its ability to create
and develop products offering superior performance characteristics, its
relationships with customers and its manufacturing and distribution
capabilities.

CONTROL BY PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

    Charles M. Hansen, Jr., Mary R. Silverthorne and the John H. Silverthorne
Marital Trust B (collectively, the "Principal Shareholders"), own an aggregate
of 5,884,808 shares of the Common Stock, representing approximately 55.4% of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock as of September 28, 1996.  As a result, the
Principal Shareholders are in a position to control the Company through their
ability to determine the outcome of elections of the Company's directors.  See
"Principal Shareholders."

DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL

    The Company's business is managed by or under the direction of Charles M.
Hansen, Jr., who serves as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
Officer.  The Company believes that its future success will be highly dependent
upon its ability to attract and retain skilled managers and other personnel,
including Mr. Hansen.  The loss of Mr. Hansen's services could have a material
adverse effect on the Company.  See "--Dependence on Key Licenses."

SEASONALITY OF BUSINESS

    Pillowtex's business is subject to a pattern of seasonal fluctuation.
During the past three years, sales and earnings from operations generated during
the second half of the year averaged approximately 62% and 69%, respectively, of
the Company's total sales and earnings from operations.  The Company's needs for
working capital accelerate in the second half of the year and, accordingly,
total debt levels tend to peak in the third and fourth quarters, falling off
again in the first quarter of the following year.  The amount of the Company's
sales generated during the second half of the year generally depends upon a
number of factors, including the level of retail sales for home textile
furnishings during the fall and winter, weather conditions affecting the level
of sales of down comforters and blankets (which are sold in greater quantities
in cold weather), general economic conditions, and other factors beyond the
Company's control.  The Company's results of operations would be adversely and
disproportionately affected if the Company's sales were substantially lower than
those normally expected during the second half of the year.

ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET; RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER

    The New Notes are a new issue of securities, have no established trading
market and may not be widely distributed.  The Company does not intend to list
the New Notes on any national securities exchange or to seek the admission
thereof to trading in the National Association of Securities Dealers Automation
Quotation System.  The Company has been advised by the Initial Purchasers that
they presently intend to make a market in the New Notes.  However, the Initial
Purchasers are not obligated to do so and any market making activities with
respect to the New Notes may be discontinued at any time without notice.  In
addition, such market making activity will be subject to the limitations imposed
by the Exchange Act and may be limited during the Exchange Offer and at certain
other times.  No assurance can be given that an active public or other market
will develop for the New Notes or as to the liquidity of or the trading market
for the New Notes.  If a trading market does not develop or is not maintained,
holders of the New Notes may experience difficulty in reselling the New Notes or
may be unable to sell them at all.  If a market for the New Notes develops, any
such market may be discontinued at any time.  If a public trading market
develops for the New Notes, future trading prices of the New Notes will depend
on many factors, including, among other things, prevailing interest rates, the
Company's results of operations and the  market for similar securities.
Depending on prevailing interest rates,


                                          13


the market for similar securities and other facts, including the financial
condition of the Company, the New Notes may trade at a discount from their
principal amount.


                                          14


                                  THE EXCHANGE OFFER

PURPOSE AND EFFECT

    The Old Notes were sold by the Company to the Initial Purchasers on
November 12, 1996, pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.  The Initial Purchasers
subsequently resold the Old Notes in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities
Act.  The Company, each domestic Subsidiary of the Company and the Initial
Purchasers also entered into the Registration Rights Agreement, pursuant to
which the Company agreed, with respect to the Old Notes and subject to the
Company's determination that the Exchange Offer is permitted under applicable
law, to (i) cause to be filed, on or prior to December 12, 1996, a registration
statement with the Commission under the Securities Act concerning the Exchange
Offer, (ii) use its best efforts (a) to cause such registration statement to be
declared effective by the Commission on or prior to February 13, 1997 and (b) to
cause the Exchange Offer to be consummated on or prior to 30 days after the date
such registration statement is declared effective by the Commission.  The
Company will keep the Exchange Offer open for a period of not less than 30 days
and not more than 45 days.  This Exchange Offer is intended to satisfy the
Company's exchange offer obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement.

CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE OLD NOTES

    Following the expiration of the Exchange Offer, holders of Old Notes not
tendered, or not properly tendered will not have any further registration rights
and such Old Notes will continue to be subject to the existing restrictions on
transfer thereof.  Accordingly, the liquidity of the market for a holder's Old
Notes could be adversely affected upon expiration of the Exchange Offer if such
holder elects to not participate in the Exchange Offer.

TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

    The Company hereby offers, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth herein and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal, to exchange $1,000
in principal amount of the New Notes for each $1,000 in principal amount of the
outstanding Old Notes.  The Company will accept for exchange any and all Old
Notes that are validly tendered on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
the Expiration Date.  Tenders of the Old Notes may be withdrawn at any time
prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.  The Exchange
Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of Old Notes being
tendered for exchange.  However, the Exchange Offer is subject to the terms and
provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement.  See "--Conditions of the
Exchange Offer."

    Old Notes may be tendered only in multiples of $1,000.  Subject to the
foregoing, holders of Old Notes may tender less than the aggregate principal
amount represented by the Old Notes held by them, provided that they
appropriately indicate this fact on the Letter of Transmittal accompanying the
tendered Old Notes (or so indicate pursuant to the procedures for book-entry
transfer).

    As of the date of this Prospectus, $125.0 million in aggregate principal
amount of the Old Notes is outstanding, the maximum amount authorized by the
Indenture for all Notes.  As of November 30, 1996, there was one registered
holder of the Old Notes, Cede, which held the Old Notes for 58 of its
participants.  Solely for reasons of administration, the Company has fixed the
close of business on ________  ___, 1997, as the record date (the "Record Date")
for purposes of determining the persons to whom this Prospectus and the Letter
of Transmittal will be mailed initially.  Only a holder of the Old Notes (or
such holder's legal representative or attorney-in-fact) may participate in the
Exchange Offer.  There will be no fixed record date for determining holders of
the Old Notes entitled to participate in the Exchange Offer.  The Company
believes that, as of the date of this Prospectus, no such holder is an affiliate
(as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of the Company.

    The Company shall be deemed to have accepted validly tendered Old Notes
when, as and if the Company has given oral or written notice thereof to the
Exchange Agent.  The Exchange Agent will act as agent for the tendering holders
of Old Notes and for the purposes of receiving the New Notes from the Company.


                                          15




    If any tendered Old Notes are not accepted for exchange because of an
invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other events set forth herein or
otherwise, certificates for any such unaccepted Old Notes will be returned,
without expense, to the tendering holder thereof as promptly as practicable
after the Expiration Date.

EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSIONS; AMENDMENTS

    The Expiration Date shall be ________ ___, 1997 at 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, unless the Company, in its sole discretion, extends the Exchange Offer, in
which case the Expiration Date shall be the latest date and time to which the
Exchange Offer is extended.

    In order to extend the Exchange Offer, the Company will notify the Exchange
Agent of any extension by oral or written notice and will make a public
announcement thereof, each prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next
business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date.

    The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, (i) to delay
accepting any Old Notes, (ii) to extend the Exchange Offer, (iii) if any of the
conditions set forth below under "--Conditions of the Exchange Offer" shall not
have been satisfied, to terminate the Exchange Offer, by giving oral or written
notice of such delay, extension, or termination to the Exchange Agent, and (iv)
to amend the terms of the Exchange Offer in any manner.  If the Exchange Offer
is amended in a manner determined by the Company to constitute a material
change, the Company will promptly disclose such amendments by means of a
prospectus supplement that will be distributed to the registered holders of the
Old Notes.  Modification of the Exchange Offer, including, but not limited to,
(i) extension of the period during which the Exchange Offer is open and (ii)
satisfaction of the conditions set forth below under "--Conditions of the
Exchange Offer" may require that at least five business days remain in the
Exchange Offer.

CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

    The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of
the Old Notes being tendered for exchange.  However, the Exchange Offer is
conditioned upon the declaration by the Commission of the effectiveness of the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement of which this Prospectus constitutes a
part.

TERMINATION OF CERTAIN RIGHTS

    The Registration Rights Agreement provides that, subject to certain
exceptions, in the event of a Registration Default, holders of Old Notes are
entitled to receive Liquidated Damages of $0.05 per week per $1,000 principal
amount of Old Notes held by such holders (up to a maximum of $0.30 per week per
$1,000 principal amount of Old Notes).  A "Registration Default" with respect to
the Exchange Offer shall occur if:  (i) the Exchange Offer  Registration
Statement has not been filed with the Commission on or prior to December 12,
1996; (ii) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not declared effective
on or prior to February 13, 1997 (the "Effectiveness Target Date"), (iii) the
Company fails to consummate the Exchange Offer within 30 days after the
Effectiveness Target Date with respect to the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, or (d) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared
effective but thereafter ceases to be effective during the period specified in
the Registration Rights Agreement. Holders of New Notes will not be and, upon
consummation of the Exchange Offer, holders of Old Notes will no longer be,
entitled to (i) the right to receive the Liquidated Damages or (ii) certain
other rights under the Registration Rights Agreement intended for holders of Old
Notes.  The Exchange Offer shall be deemed consummated upon the occurrence of
the delivery by the Company to the Registrar under the Indenture of New Notes in
the same aggregate principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Old
Notes that are tendered by holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

ACCRUED INTEREST

    The New Notes will bear interest at a rate equal to 10% per annum, which
interest shall accrue from November 12, 1996 or from the most recent Interest
Payment Date with respect to the Old Notes to which interest was paid or duly
provided for.  See "Description of Notes--Principal, Maturity and Interest."


                                          16


PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING OLD NOTES

    The tender of a holder's Old Notes as set forth below and the acceptance
thereof by the Company will constitute a binding agreement between the tendering
holder and the Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
this Prospectus and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal.  Except as set
forth below, a holder who wishes to tender Old Notes for exchange pursuant to
the Exchange Offer must transmit such Old Notes, together with a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal, including all other documents
required by such Letter of Transmittal, to the Exchange Agent at the address set
forth on the back cover page of this Prospectus prior to 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the Expiration Date.  THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF OLD NOTES, LETTERS
OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF
THE HOLDER.  IF SUCH DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT REGISTERED
MAIL, PROPERLY INSURED, WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, BE USED.  INSTEAD OF
DELIVERY BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE HOLDER USE AN OVERNIGHT OR HAND
DELIVERY SERVICE.  IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ASSURE
TIMELY DELIVERY.

    Any financial institution that is a participant in DTC's Book-Entry
Transfer Facility system may make book-entry delivery of the Old Notes by
causing DTC to transfer such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account in
accordance with DTC's procedures for such transfer.  In connection with a
book-entry transfer, a Letter of Transmittal need not be transmitted to the
Exchange Agent, provided that the book-entry transfer procedure must be complied
with prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.

    Each signature on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the
case may be, must be guaranteed unless the Old Notes surrendered for exchange
pursuant hereto are tendered (i) by a registered holder of the Old Notes who has
not completed either the box entitled "Special Exchange Instructions" or the box
entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" in the Letter of Transmittal, or (ii)
by an Eligible Institution (as defined herein).  In the event that a signature
on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, is
required to be guaranteed, such guarantee must be by a firm which is a member of
a registered national securities exchange or the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., a commercial bank or trust company having an office or
correspondent in the United States or otherwise be an "eligible guarantor
institution" within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act
(collectively, "Eligible Institutions").  If the Letter of Transmittal is signed
by a person other than the registered holder of the Old Notes, the Old Notes
surrendered for exchange must either (i) be endorsed by the registered holder,
with the signature thereon guaranteed by an Eligible Institution, or (ii) be
accompanied by a bond power, in satisfactory form as determined by the Company
in its sole discretion, duly executed by the registered holder, with the
signature thereon guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.  The term "registered
holder" as used herein with respect to the Old Notes means any person in whose
name the Old Notes are registered on the books of the Registrar.

    All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt), acceptance and withdrawal of Old Notes tendered for exchange will be
determined by the Company in its sole discretion, which determination shall be
final and binding.  The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and
all Old Notes not properly tendered and to reject any Old Notes the Company's
acceptance of which might, in the judgment of the Company or its counsel, be
unlawful.  The Company also reserves the absolute right to waive any defects or
irregularities or conditions of the Exchange Offer as to particular Old Notes
either before or after the Expiration Date (including the right to waive the
ineligibility of any holder who seeks to tender Old Notes in the Exchange
Offer).  The interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer
(including the Letter of Transmittal and the instructions thereto) by the
Company shall be final and binding on all parties.  Unless waived, any defects
or irregularities in connection with tenders of Old Notes for exchange must be
cured within such period of time as the Company shall determine.  The Company
will use reasonable efforts to give notification of defects or irregularities
with respect to tenders of Old Notes for exchange but shall not incur any
liability for failure to give such notification.  Tenders of the Old Notes will
not be deemed to have been made until such irregularities have been cured or
waived.

    If any Letter of Transmittal, endorsement, bond power, power of attorney or
any other document required by the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a trustee,
executor, corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, such person should so indicate when signing, and, unless waived by the
Company, proper evidence satisfactory to the Company, in its sole discretion, of
such person's authority to so act must be submitted.


                                          17


    Any beneficial owner of the Old Notes (a "Beneficial Owner") whose Old
Notes are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust
company or other nominee and who wishes to tender Old Notes in the Exchange
Offer should contact such registered holder promptly and instruct such
registered holder to tender on such Beneficial Owner's behalf.  If such
Beneficial Owner wishes to tender directly, such Beneficial Owner must, prior to
completing and executing the Letter of Transmittal and tendering Old Notes, make
appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the Old Notes in such
Beneficial Owner's name.  Beneficial Owners should be aware that the transfer of
registered ownership may take considerable time.

    By tendering, each registered holder will represent to the Company that,
among other things (i) the New Notes to be acquired in connection with the
Exchange Offer by the holder and each Beneficial Owner of the Old Notes are
being acquired by the holder and each Beneficial Owner in the ordinary course of
business of the holder and each Beneficial Owner, (ii) the holder and each
Beneficial Owner are not participating, do not intend to participate, and have
no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate, in the
distribution of the New Notes, (iii) the holder and each Beneficial Owner
acknowledge and agree that any person participating in the Exchange Offer for
the purpose of distributing the New Notes must comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a
secondary resale transaction of the New Notes acquired by such person and cannot
rely on the position of the staff of the Commission set forth in "no-action"
letters that are discussed herein under "--Resales of the New Notes," (iv) that
if the holder is a broker-dealer that acquired Old Notes as a result of market
making or other trading activities, it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of New Notes acquired in the Exchange Offer, (v) the holder and
each Beneficial Owner understand that a secondary resale transaction described
in clause (iii) above should be covered by an effective registration statement
containing the selling security holder information required by Item 507 of
Regulation S-K of the Securities Act, and (vi) neither the holder nor any
Beneficial Owner is an "affiliate," as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities
Act, of the Company except as otherwise disclosed to the Company in writing.  In
connection with a book-entry transfer, each participant will confirm that it
makes the representations and warranties contained in the Letter of Transmittal.

GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES

    Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes and (i) whose Old Notes are not
immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Old Notes or any other
documents required by the Letter of Transmittal to the Exchange Agent prior to
the Expiration Date (or complete the procedure for book-entry transfer on a
timely basis), may tender their Old Notes according to the guaranteed delivery
procedures set forth in the Letter of Transmittal.  Pursuant to such procedures:
(i) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution and a Notice
of Guaranteed Delivery (as defined in the Letter of Transmittal) must be signed
by such holder, (ii) on or prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent must
have received from the holder and the Eligible Institution a properly completed
and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (by facsimile transmission, mail
or hand delivery) setting forth the name and address of the holder, the
certificate number or numbers of the tendered Old Notes, and the principal
amount of tendered Old Notes, stating that the tender is being made thereby and
guaranteeing that, within four (4) business days after the date of delivery of
the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, the tendered Old Notes, a duly executed
Letter of Transmittal and any other required documents will be deposited by the
Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent, and (iii) such properly completed
and executed documents required by the Letter of Transmittal and the tendered
Old Notes in proper form for transfer (or confirmation of a book-entry transfer
of such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC) must be received by
the Exchange Agent within four (4) business days after the Expiration Date.  Any
Holder who wishes to tender Old Notes pursuant to the guaranteed delivery
procedures described above must ensure that the Exchange Agent receives the
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and Letter of Transmittal relating to such Old
Notes prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.

ACCEPTANCE OF OLD NOTES FOR EXCHANGE; DELIVERY OF NEW NOTES

    Upon satisfaction or waiver of all the conditions to the Exchange Offer,
the Company will accept any and all Old Notes that are properly tendered in the
Exchange Offer prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.
The New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be delivered promptly
after acceptance of the Old Notes.  For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the
Company shall be deemed to have accepted validly tendered Old Notes, when, as,
and if the Company has given oral or written notice thereof to the Exchange
Agent.


                                          18


    In all cases, issuances of New Notes for Old Notes that are accepted for
exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only after timely receipt
by the Exchange Agent of such Old Notes, a properly completed and duly executed
Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents (or of confirmation of a
book-entry transfer of such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC);
provided, however, that the Company reserves the absolute right to waive any
defects or irregularities in the tender or conditions of the Exchange Offer.  If
any tendered Old Notes are not accepted for any reason, such unaccepted Old
Notes will be returned without expense to the tendering holder thereof as
promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination of the Exchange
Offer.

WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS

    Tenders of the Old Notes may be withdrawn by delivery of a written notice
to the Exchange Agent, at its address set forth on the back cover page of this
Prospectus, at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date.  Any such notice of withdrawal must (i) specify the name of the
person having deposited the Old Notes to be withdrawn (the "Depositor"), (ii)
identify the Old Notes to be withdrawn (including the certificate number or
numbers and principal amount of such Old Notes, as applicable), (iii) be signed
by the holder in the same manner as the original signature on the Letter of
Transmittal by which such Old Notes were tendered (including any required
signature guarantees) or be accompanied by a bond power in the name of the
person withdrawing the tender, in satisfactory form as determined by the Company
in its sole discretion, duly executed by the registered holder, with the
signature thereon guaranteed by an Eligible Institution together with the other
documents required upon transfer by the Indenture, and (iv) specify the name in
which such Old Notes are to be re-registered, if different from the Depositor,
pursuant to such documents of transfer.  Any questions as to the validity, form
and eligibility (including time of receipt) of such notices will be determined
by the Company, in its sole discretion.  The Old Notes so withdrawn will be
deemed not to have been validly tendered for exchange for purposes of the
Exchange Offer.  Any Old Notes which have been tendered for exchange but which
are withdrawn will be returned to the holder thereof without cost to such holder
as soon as practicable after withdrawal.  Properly withdrawn Old Notes may be
rendered by following one of the procedures described under "The Exchange
Offer--Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" at any time on or prior to the
Expiration Date.

THE EXCHANGE AGENT; ASSISTANCE

    Bank One, Columbus, N.A. is the Exchange Agent.  All tendered Old Notes,
executed Letters of Transmittal and other related documents should be directed
to the Exchange Agent.  Questions and requests for assistance and requests for
additional copies of this Prospectus, the Letter of Transmittal and other
related documents should be addressed to the Exchange Agent as follows:

                           BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL:

                               Bank One, Columbus, N.A.
                                235 West Schrock Road
                              Columbus, Ohio 43271-0184

                                          or

                               Bank One, Columbus, N.A.
                               c/o First Chicago Trust
                                 Company of New York
                        Attention: Corporate Trust Department
                                    14 Wall Street
                                 8th Floor, Window 2
                               New York, New York 10005


                                          19




                            BY HAND OR OVERNIGHT COURIER:

                               Bank One, Columbus, N.A.
                                235 West Schrock Road
                               Westerville, Ohio 43081

                                          or

                               Bank One, Columbus, N.A.
                               c/o First Chicago Trust
                                 Company of New York
                        Attention: Corporate Trust Department
                                    14 Wall Street
                                  8th Floor Window 2
                               New York, New York 10005

                                    BY FACSIMILE:

                                 (614) 248-5088 (OH)

                                          or

                                 (212) 240-8988 (NY)

                      Confirm by Telephone:  (212) 240-8862 (NY)
                                          1-800-346-5152

FEES AND EXPENSES

    All expenses incident to the Company's consummation of the Exchange Offer
and compliance with the Registration Rights Agreement will be borne by the
Company, including, without limitation:  (i) all registration and filing fees
(including fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or Blue Sky
laws), (ii) printing expenses (including expenses of printing certificates for
the New Notes in a form eligible for deposit with DTC and of printing
Prospectuses), (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Company, (v) fees and disbursements of
independent certified public accountants, (vi) rating agency fees, (vii)
internal expenses of the Company (including all salaries and expenses of
officers and employees of the Company performing legal or accounting duties),
and (ix) fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the New
Notes on a securities exchange.

    The Company has not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the
Exchange Offer and will not make any payments to brokers, dealers or others
soliciting acceptance of the Exchange Offer.  The Company, however, will pay the
Exchange Agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and will reimburse
it for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith.

    The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange
of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer.  If, however, a transfer tax is
imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Old Notes pursuant to the
Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on
the registered holder or any other persons) will be payable by the tendering
holder.  If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption is not
submitted with the Letter of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will
be billed directly to such tendering holder.

ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

    The New Notes will be recorded at the same carrying value as the Old Notes,
as reflected in the Company's accounting records on the date of the exchange.
Accordingly, no gain or loss will be recognized by the Company for accounting
purposes.  The expenses of the Exchange Offer will be amortized over the term of
the New Notes.


                                          20




RESALES OF THE NEW NOTES

    Based on an interpretation by the staff of the Commission set forth in "no-
action" letters issued to third parties, the Company believes that the New Notes
issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer to a holder in exchange for Old Notes may
be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by such holder (other
than (i) a broker-dealer who purchased Old Notes directly from the Company for
resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act or any other available
exemption under the Securities Act, or (ii) a person that is an affiliate of the
Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) without
compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the
Securities Act, provided that such holder is acquiring the New Notes in the
ordinary course of business and is not participating, and has no arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate, in the distribution of the New
Notes.  The Company has not requested or obtained an interpretive letter from
the Commission staff with respect to this Exchange Offer, and the Company and
the holders are not entitled to rely on interpretive advice provided by the
staff to other persons, which advice was based on the facts and conditions
represented in such letters.  However, the Exchange Offer is being conducted in
a manner intended to be consistent with the facts and conditions represented in
such letters.  If any holder acquires New Notes in the Exchange Offer for the
purpose of distributing or participating in a distribution of the New Notes,
such holder cannot rely on the position of the staff of the Commission
enunciated in Morgan Stanley & Co., Incorporated (available June 5, 1991) and
Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available April 13, 1989), or interpreted in
the Commission's letter to Shearman & Sterling (available July 2, 1993), or
similar "no-action" or interpretive letters and must comply with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with a secondary resale transaction, unless an exemption from
registration is otherwise available.  Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes
for its own account in exchange for Old Notes, where such Old Notes were
acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market making or other trading
activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of such New Notes.  See "Plan of Distribution."

    It is expected that the New Notes will be freely transferable by the
holders thereof, subject to the limitations described in the immediately
preceding paragraph.  Sales of New Notes acquired in the Exchange Offer by
holders who are "affiliates" of the Company within the meaning of the Securities
Act will be subject to certain limitations on resale under Rule 144 of the
Securities Act.  Such persons will only be entitled to sell New Notes in
compliance with the volume limitations set forth in Rule 144, and sales of New
Notes by affiliates will be subject to certain Rule 144 requirements as to the
manner of sale, notice and the availability of current public information
regarding the Company.  The foregoing is a summary only of Rule 144 as it may
apply to affiliates of the Company.  Any such persons must consult their own
legal counsel for advice as to any restrictions that might apply to the resale
of their Notes.


                                          21




                                    CAPITALIZATION

    The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company on a
historical basis as of September 28, 1996, and on a pro forma basis after giving
effect to the Prior Offering and the application of the net proceeds therefrom.
This table should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial
Statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.

                                                         SEPTEMBER 28, 1996
                                                      -----------------------
                                                       ACTUAL       PRO FORMA
                                                      --------      ---------
                                                           (IN THOUSANDS)
Total debt(1):
  Term Loan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       $70,400        $  -
  Revolver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       110,800         86,000
  10% Senior Subordinated Notes. . . . . . . . .          -           125,000
  Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        10,476         10,476
                                                      --------       --------
     Total debt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       191,676        221,476
                                                      --------       --------
Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share;
    20,000,000 shares authorized; no shares
    issued and outstanding . . . . . . . . . . .          -              -
  Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share;
    30,000,000 shares authorized; 10,617,722
    shares issued and outstanding(2) . . . . . .           106            106
  Additional paid-in capital . . . . . . . . . .        58,427         58,427
  Retained earnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        36,628         36,628
  Currency translation adjustment. . . . . . . .          (119)          (119)
                                                      --------       --------
     Total shareholders' equity. . . . . . . . .        95,042         95,042
                                                      --------       --------
         Total capitalization. . . . . . . . . .      $286,718       $316,518
                                                      --------       --------
                                                      --------       --------
- ---------------
(1)  For information concerning the Company's long-term debt, see Note 6 to
     Consolidated Financial Statements.  Total debt as of September 28, 1996
     includes the current portion of long-term debt of $10.0 million under the
     Term Loan and $1.5 million under Other.

(2)  Excludes 1,200,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to
     the Company's Stock Option Plan (the "Stock Option Plan"), of which 510,865
     shares were issuable upon exercise of stock options outstanding as of
     September 28, 1996.  See "Management--Stock Option Plan."


                                          22




                   SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA

     The following table presents selected historical consolidated and unaudited
pro forma consolidated data for the Company.  The historical consolidated
financial information under the captions "Statements of Earnings Data" for each
of the years in the five-year period ended December 30, 1995 and under the
caption "Balance Sheet Data" as of December 30, 1995 has been derived from the
Company's consolidated financial statements, which financial statements have
been audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants.
The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 1994 and December 30,
1995 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 30, 1995,
and the auditors' report thereon, are included elsewhere herein.  The historical
consolidated financial information under the captions "Statements of Earnings
Data" and "Balance Sheet Data" as of September 30, 1995 and September 28, 1996
and for the nine months then ended has been derived from the unaudited
consolidated financial statements which, except for the consolidated balance
sheet as of September 30, 1995, are included elsewhere herein.  The selected
financial information should be read in conjunction with "Prospectus
Summary--Recent Development," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations," "Description of Credit Agreement" and the
Company's Consolidated Financial Statements (including related notes thereto)
included elsewhere in this Prospectus.




 

                                                                       FISCAL YEAR (1)                      NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                     ------------------------------------------------   ----------------------------
                                                                                                        SEPTEMBER 30,  SEPTEMBER 28,
                                                       1991      1992      1993      1994      1995         1995           1996
                                                     ------------------------------------------------   -------------  -------------
                                                                      (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS)
                                                                                                  
STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS DATA:
Net sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $258,966  $273,462  $291,624  $349,520  $474,899     $332,352       $335,770
Cost of goods sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      206,626   222,611   238,155   294,714   395,922      275,407        280,272
                                                       -------   -------   -------   -------   -------     -------        -------
Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       52,340    50,851    53,469    54,806    78,977       56,945         55,498
Selling, general and administrative 
  expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       33,227    33,376    29,227    36,399    42,508       32,315         31,170
                                                       -------   -------   -------   -------   -------     -------        -------
Earnings from operations . . . . . . . . . . . .       19,113    17,475    24,242    18,407    36,469       24,630         24,328
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        5,283     4,997     3,042     6,361    17,491       12,964         10,279
Other expense (income), net. . . . . . . . . . .          --      1,049       --       (379)      --           --             --
                                                       -------   -------   -------   -------   -------     -------        -------
Earnings before income taxes . . . . . . . . . .       13,830    11,429    21,200    12,425    18,978       11,666         14,049
Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          626       529     8,420     4,736     7,509        4,678          5,495
                                                       -------   -------   -------   -------   -------     -------        -------
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       $13,204   $10,900   $12,780   $ 7,689   $11,469     $ 6,988        $ 8,554
                                                       -------   -------   -------   -------   -------     -------        -------
                                                       -------   -------   -------   -------   -------     -------        -------
OTHER DATA:
Depreciation and amortization. . . . . . . . . .        $2,888    $3,104    $3,868    $6,365   $11,994       $8,767         $9,440
Capital expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         3,742     5,869     7,135    10,538    12,448        8,630          2,981
SG&A margin (2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         12.8%     12.2%     10.0%     10.4%      9.0%         9.7%           9.3%
EBITDA (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       $22,001   $19,530   $28,110   $25,151   $48,463      $33,397        $33,768
EBITDA margin (3)(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          8.5%      7.1%      9.6%      7.2%     10.2%        10.0%          10.1%
Ratio of EBITDA to interest expense (3). . . . .          4.2x      3.9x      9.2x      4.0x      2.8x         2.6x           3.3x
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (5) . . . . .          3.4x      3.0x      6.8x      2.8x      2.0x         1.8x           2.2x

PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA (6):
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                               $19,936      $15,110        $13,879
EBITDA (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                                48,758       33,605         33,960
Ratio of EBITDA to interest expense (3). . . . .                                                  2.4x         2.2x           2.4x
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (5) . . . . .                                                  1.8x         1.6x           1.6x





                                                                                                       PRO
                                                                         AT                          FORMA (7)
                                                       ------------------------------------------  -------------
                                                       DECEMBER 30,  SEPTEMBER 30,  SEPTEMBER 28,  SEPTEMBER 28,
                                                         1995           1995           1996           1996
                                                       ------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                            (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                        
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        $110,128       $149,933       $152,787       $178,287
Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         324,710        373,528        370,670        400,470
Total debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         165,388        212,231        191,676        221,476
Shareholders' equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          87,990         84,438         95,042         95,042


 

                                          23




- --------------------------------------

(1)      Amounts set forth in the year ended December 31, 1993 reflect the
         inclusion of Manetta from August 30, 1993, TWM from September 7, 1993
         and Torfeaco from December 1, 1993.  Amounts set forth in the year
         ended December 31, 1994 reflect the inclusion of Imperial from
         August 19, 1994 and Beacon from December 1, 1994.  The financial
         information for years 1993 and 1994 has been reclassified for certain
         advertising and royalty fees so as to be comparable with the 1995
         presentation.  Advertising fees are now reported as a reduction of
         gross sales rather than SG&A expenses and the royalty fees have been
         reclassified from SG&A expenses to cost of goods sold.

(2)      Represents SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales.

(3)      EBITDA consists of earnings before interest, income taxes,
         extraordinary items and depreciation and amortization expense.  While
         EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to operating income
         or net income or as an indicator of operating performance or
         liquidity, it is a measure that the Company believes is used commonly
         to evaluate a company's ability to service debt.

(4)      Represents EBITDA as a percentage of net sales.

(5)      For purposes of calculating these ratios, earnings represents earnings
         before income taxes plus fixed charges, as defined.  Fixed charges
         consists of interest expense, amortization of debt issuance costs, and
         the portion (approximately one-third) of rental and lease expense,
         which management believes is representative of the interest component
         of rental and lease expense.

(6)      The pro forma financial data has been calculated giving effect to the
         Prior Offering and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, the
         amendment of the Company's existing Credit Agreement as described in
         "Description of Credit Agreement" and certain cost savings associated
         with the License Agreement entered into in connection with the
         Acquisition.  However, no other pro forma adjustments have been made
         with respect to the Acquisition, including any revenue and
         attributable EBITDA effects.  Fieldcrest generated approximately
         $37.0 million of revenues from the sale of Blanket Products under the
         Licensed Marks during the year ended December 31, 1995.  However, the
         Acquisition did not involve the purchase of Fieldcrest's Blanket
         Products business, including but not limited to its sales and
         marketing personnel, its product distribution channels or its customer
         service department.  While the Company believes that its existing
         sales, distribution and customer service capabilities will support the
         Company's sale of Blanket Products under the Licensed Marks, there can
         be no assurance that the Company will be able to generate revenues
         from such assets at the levels previously achieved by Fieldcrest.
         Moreover, the pro forma financial data does not purport to represent
         what the Company's results actually would have been if such events had
         occurred at the dates indicated, nor does such information purport to
         project the results of the Company for any future period.  See "Recent
         Development."

(7)      The pro forma balance sheet data has been calculated giving effect to
         the Prior Offering and the application of the net proceeds therefrom
         as if each occurred on September 28, 1996.


                                          24




             MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                              AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

    THE FOLLOWING ANALYSIS OF THE FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
OF THE COMPANY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION AND
FINANCIAL DATA, INCLUDING THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND RELATED
NOTES THERETO, APPEARING ELSEWHERE HEREIN.

GENERAL

    On March 17, 1993, the Company completed an initial public offering of its
Common Stock with the issuance of 4,085,000 shares at $14.00 per share.  The
Company received net proceeds of $52.1 million after deducting offering costs.

    The Company, originally founded as a pillow manufacturer in 1954, has
historically expanded its product lines through acquisitions into other
categories of top of the bed products including mattress pads, comforters and
blankets. The Company has been successful in integrating these acquisitions into
its existing operations, resulting in increased sales, more efficient
distribution and a broader product line.  The Company expanded its product line
to include blankets through the acquisition of Manetta Mills, Inc. ("Manetta")
in August 1993 and Tennessee Woolen Mills, Inc. ("TWM") in September 1993.  In
addition, in December 1994, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets
of Beacon Manufacturing Company ("Beacon"), a 92-year old manufacturer of cotton
and synthetic blankets and throws, jacquard throws and woven corded bedspreads.
The Company expanded its manufacturing operations into Canada through the
acquisition of Torfeaco Industries, Ltd. ("Torfeaco"), a manufacturer of fashion
and synthetic bedding products in December 1993 and Imperial Feather Company
("Imperial"), a manufacturer of bedding products, including natural fill and
synthetic bed pillows, down comforters and comforter covers in August 1994.
Each of these acquisitions was accounted for under the purchase method of
accounting, and, accordingly, the results of operations of each acquired company
have been included in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings since its
respective acquisition date.

    Due to the number, magnitude and timing of the Company's acquisitions, the
Company's operating results, as reflected in the Consolidated Financial
Statements, are not directly comparable on a year-to-year basis or
quarter-to-quarter basis.

OVERVIEW OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

    The following table presents certain statements of earnings data as a
percentage of sales for the periods indicated and should be read in conjunction
with the foregoing section entitled "Selected Historical and Pro Forma Financial
Data."


 

                                              YEAR ENDED                             NINE MONTHS ENDED
                               --------------------------------------------    ------------------------------
                               DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 30,    SEPTEMBER 30,    SEPTEMBER 28,
                                  1993            1994            1995             1995             1996
                               ------------    ------------    ------------    -------------    -------------
                                                                                 
Net sales. . . . . . . . .      100.0%          100.0%          100.0%           100.0%           100.0%
Cost of goods sold . . . .       81.7            84.3            83.4             82.9             83.5
Gross profit . . . . . . .       18.3            15.7            16.6             17.1             16.5
Selling, general and
  administrative expenses.       10.0            10.4             9.0              9.7              9.3
Earnings from operations .        8.3             5.3             7.6              7.4              7.2
Interest expense . . . . .        1.0             1.8             3.7              3.9              3.1
Other income . . . . . . .        -               0.1             -                -                -
Earnings before income taxes      7.3             3.6             3.9              3.5              4.1
Net earnings . . . . . . .        4.4%            2.2%            2.4%             2.1%             2.5%


 

                                          25




COMPARISON OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 28, 1996
    VERSUS THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995

    NET SALES.  Net sales were $335.8 million for the nine months ended
September 28, 1996, representing an increase of $3.4 million or 1.0% as compared
to $332.4 million for the same period in 1995.  The year to date increase
reflected strong bed pillow, mattress pad and fashion bedding sales, partially
offset by lower blanket sales, in the third quarter and first half of 1996.
Management believes the shortfall in blanket sales was due primarily to
retailers' decisions to place orders for blankets closer to the normal late fall
selling season.

    GROSS PROFIT.  Gross profit margins decreased to 16.5% in the nine months
ended September 28, 1996, from 17.1% in the nine months ended September 30,
1995.  The decline was due to several factors including (i) a shift in blanket
sales mix towards lower average margin products, which Management believes
occurred primarily due to the decision of retailers of higher margin products to
defer orders as described above, as well as an increase in sales of lower margin
products and (ii) one-time costs incurred on the start-up of the Company's new
cotton spinning facility, most of which occurred in the first six months of
1996.  Management believes that the process of upgrading the yarn spinning
facility is largely complete.

    SG&A.  Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses fell by $1.1
million to $31.2 million in the nine months ended September 28, 1996, from
$32.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 1995, while, as a
percentage of sales, SG&A expenses decreased to 9.3% from 9.7% in the respective
periods.  These decreases reflected the continuing focus of the Company on
containing these expenses.

    INTEREST.  Interest expense decreased to $10.3 million in the nine months
ended September 28, 1996, from $13.0 million in the nine months ended
September 30, 1995.  Interest expense fell due to lower borrowings and decreased
average interest rates.

    TAXES.  The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 28, 1996
decreased to 39.1% compared to 40.1% for the nine months ended September 30,
1995, primarily due to lower state taxes.

    NET EARNINGS.  Net earnings increased to $8.6 million in the nine months
ended September 28, 1996, from $7.0 million in the nine months ended
September 30, 1995.  As a percentage of sales, net earnings increased to 2.5% in
the nine months ended September 28, 1996 from 2.1% in 1995.

COMPARISON OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 30, 1995
    VERSUS THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994

    NET SALES.  Net sales were $474.9 million in 1995, representing an increase
of $125.4 million or 35.9% as compared to sales of $349.5 million in 1994.  This
increase resulted primarily from the inclusion of 12 months of sales from Beacon
during 1995.  Despite generally weak retail buying conditions, sales of the
Company's core product lines were largely flat.

    GROSS PROFIT.  Gross profit margins increased to 16.6% in 1995 from 15.7%
in 1994.  Margins were supported by product price increases implemented in 1995
and increased operating productivity at the Company's manufacturing facilities,
the latter of which resulted from efficiencies achieved through the further
successful integration of the blanket plants acquired in 1993 and 1994.  Margin
increases were offset in part by a sales mix change that included a greater
percentage of blanket sales in 1995, which generally carry lower margins than
the Company's other products, increases in raw materials prices and by a higher
percentage of closeout goods in the sales mix.

    SG&A.  SG&A expenses grew by $6.1 million to $42.5 million in 1995 from
$36.4 million in 1994, due primarily to the acquisition in December 1994 of
Beacon.  As a percentage of sales, however, SG&A expenses fell significantly, to
9.0% in 1995 from 10.4% in 1994.  This decrease was the result of comprehensive
cost cutting throughout the Company, including expenses related to the
integration of the blanket plants acquired in 1993 and 1994, as well as
reductions in salaries, travel, advertising, professional fees and other general
administrative expenses.


                                          26




    INTEREST.  Interest expense increased to $17.5 million in 1995 from
$6.4 million in 1994 due to increased debt levels and interest rates.  Higher
borrowings related to the acquisition of Beacon in 1994 and the inventory
carrying costs resulting from earlier purchases of certain imported products in
expectation of closure of quota categories applicable to certain goods imported
from China.

    TAXES.  The effective tax rate in 1995 grew to 39.6%, compared to 38.1% in
1994, due to the expiration of certain tax credits and to a reduction in
tax-exempt earnings.

    NET EARNINGS.  Net earnings increased to $11.5 million in 1995 from
$7.7 million in 1994, as a result of improved gross margins and marked decreases
in SG&A expenses, partially offset by increased interest expense.

COMPARISON OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
    VERSUS THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993

    NET SALES.  Net sales were $349.5 million in 1994, representing an increase
of $57.9 million or 19.9%, as compared to sales of $291.6 million in 1993.  This
increase resulted largely from the acquisitions made in late 1993 and 1994.
Sales of some of the Company's core product lines, including mattress pads and
Ralph Lauren bedding textiles, increased as well.  Especially in the fourth
quarter of 1994, however, sales of core products were negatively impacted by
unseasonably warm winter weather, retailers' overstocked inventory and the
Company's inability to meet demand in certain product lines traditionally
imported from China, which were subject to new quota restrictions.  See "Risk
Factors--Dependence on Supply Sources in China."

    GROSS PROFIT.  Gross profit margins decreased to 15.7% in 1994 from 18.3%
in 1993, principally as a result of production inefficiencies experienced at the
blanket-producing facilities acquired in late 1993, as well as production
inefficiencies at one of the Company's existing plants.  Margin decreases were
also due to integration costs related to the Canadian facilities, and increases
in the prices of cotton, polyester and other raw materials.

    SG&A.  SG&A expenses grew by $7.2 million to $36.4 million in 1994 from
$29.2 million in 1993, and as a percentage of sales, to 10.4% in 1994 from 10.0%
in 1993.  This increase resulted from expenses related to the integration of the
blanket operations acquired in 1993, and the acquisition of the two Canadian
facilities.

    INTEREST.  Interest expense increased to $6.4 million in 1994 from
$3.0 million in 1993, due to higher average interest rates and debt levels.  The
increased borrowings related to certain acquisitions in 1993, as well as higher
working capital requirements associated with the earlier purchases of certain
imported products in expectation of closure of quota categories applicable to
certain goods imported from China, and higher than expected fourth quarter
inventory levels.  See "Business--Manufacturing, Raw Materials and Imports."

    TAXES.  The effective tax rate in 1994 was 38.1% as compared to an
effective tax rate of 39.7% in 1993.  The decreased effective tax rate in 1994
was principally due to lower net earnings, higher tax-exempt income and
increased state tax credits.

    NET EARNINGS.  Net earnings in 1994 decreased to $7.7 million from pro
forma net earnings of $12.8 million in 1993, principally as a result of
decreased gross profit margins, increased SG&A expenses and increased interest
expense.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

    The Company's historical capital resources have included funds from
operations, the initial public offering of Common Stock and the Prior Offering,
bank lines of credit, industrial revenue bonds and other borrowings.  The
primary uses of cash by the Company have been to provide funds for operations,
make expenditures for capital improvements, equipment and facilities, repay
indebtedness, pay cash dividends to shareholders, repurchase shares of Common
Stock and make acquisitions.

    The Company's working capital needs have generally been met through cash
flow generated by operations and borrowings under the Credit Agreement.


                                          27




    The Company consummated the Prior Offering in November 1996, resulting in
net proceeds to the Company of approximately $121.7 million.  The Company used
these net proceeds (i) to retire the indebtedness outstanding under the
Company's previously existing term loan facility under the Credit Agreement (the
"Term Loan") with a syndicate of banks led by NationsBank of Texas, N.A.
("NationsBank") (approximately $70.4 million), (ii) to finance the Acquisition
(approximately $31.5 million, which the Company expects to be adjusted to 
approximately $26.5 million upon final verification of inventory levels as of 
the closing date of the Acquisition; however, there can be no assurance to
that effect), and (iii) to temporarily reduce indebtedness under the Revolver 
(approximately $19.8 million).

    Concurrently with the Prior Offering, the Company amended and restated the
Revolver under its Credit Agreement.  The Credit Agreement provides for
borrowings in an aggregate principal amount of up to $175.0 million.
Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement is guaranteed by each domestic
Subsidiary of the Company and is secured by the Company's accounts receivable
and inventory and by (i) 100% of the capital stock of the Company's domestic
Subsidiaries and (ii) 65% of the capital stock of the Company's foreign
Subsidiaries.  Loans made pursuant to the Credit Agreement may be borrowed,
repaid and reborrowed from time to time until the fifth anniversary of the
establishment of the Credit Agreement, subject to satisfaction of certain
conditions on the date of any such borrowing.

    Amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate
based, at the Company's option, upon (i) either NationsBank's base rate or LIBOR
(the London Interbank Offered Rate) plus 0.875% or (ii) NationsBank's
reserve-adjusted CD rate plus 1.000%.  These rates are subject to decrease based
upon the Company's achievement of (i) certain senior unsecured debt ratings or
(ii) certain ratios of funded debt to EBITDA.  On a pro forma basis as of
September 28, 1996, the interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the Credit
Agreement would have been 6.305%.

    The Company from time to time enters into interest rate swap agreements in
order to minimize the risk to the Company of fluctuations in interest rates.
Pillowtex currently has interest rate swap agreements in place covering
approximately $90.0 million of indebtedness that extend through August 1997,
with an average interest rate of 5.565%.

    The Company expects to incur approximately $6.2 million in capital
expenditures for 1996, including approximately $4.0 million at the blanket
facilities in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, in order to upgrade
the physical plants and purchase machinery and equipment.  For the nine months
ended September 28, 1996, the Company's capital expenditures were $3.0 million.
The balance of the capital expenditures for 1996 will be used for regular
maintenance and improvements at the Company's other manufacturing facilities and
to upgrade the Company's computer system.  In addition, the Company in November
1996 purchased a warehouse in South Carolina for approximately $8.4 million to
replace certain warehouse facilities leased by Beacon.  For 1995, the Company's
capital expenditures were $12.4 million, including a total of $8.7 million for
improvements and equipment purchases related to the blanket production
facilities and approximately $0.3 million related to Torfeaco.  In 1994, the
Company's capital expenditures were $10.5 million, including a total of
$5.4 million attributable to the blanket production facilities, and
approximately $0.7 million related to Torfeaco.

    On each of December 20, 1995, March 27, 1996, June 26, 1996 and
September 26, 1996, the Company paid a cash dividend to shareholders of record
on December 1, 1995, March 13, 1996, June 12, 1996 and September 11, 1996,
respectively, of $.05 per share.

    Historically, a significant portion of the Company's net sales have been
generated during the second half of the year.  During each of the past
three years, sales and earnings from operations during the second half of the
year averaged 62% and 69%, respectively, of the Company's total sales and
earnings from operations.  Consequently, working capital requirements and
therefore, total debt levels, reach their highest levels as net sales peak in
the third and fourth quarters of the year.

    The Company believes that the net proceeds received from the Prior
Offering, in combination with cash flow generated from operations and funds
available under the Revolver, are adequate to meet its working capital and
related financing needs for the foreseeable future.  See "Risk Factors -
Significant Leverage and Debt Service."


                                          28


                                       BUSINESS

GENERAL

    Pillowtex, founded in 1954, is a leading North American designer,
manufacturer and marketer of bed pillows, blankets, mattress pads and down
comforters.  Other complementary bedroom textile furnishings offered by the
Company include comforter covers, featherbeds, pillow protectors, decorative
pillows, bedspreads, synthetic comforters, pillow shams, dust ruffles and window
treatments.  Pillowtex has positioned itself as a single-source supplier to
retailers for bedroom textile furnishings (other than sheets), offering a broad
assortment of products across multiple price points.

    The Company markets its products primarily to department stores, mass
merchants, wholesale clubs, specialty retail stores, catalogs and institutional
suppliers.  The Company believes that it is one of the principal suppliers of
bedroom textile furnishings to virtually all of the largest department stores in
the United States.

BUSINESS STRATEGY

    Pillowtex's business strategy is to capitalize on the strengths that have
distinguished the Company as a preferred supplier of high quality bedroom
textile products in North America.

    OFFER EXTENSIVE PRODUCT LINES EMPHASIZING HIGHER MARGIN GOODS.  The Company
offers more top-of-the-bed product lines than any other major North American
competitor.  With the exception of sheets, the Company's strategy is to provide
a "one-stop shop" for top-of-the-bed products, customized to each retailer's
specific consumer profile. Therefore, the Company offers broad product
assortments of high quality products at multiple price points.  The Company
emphasizes higher end, premium lines to encourage the consumer to trade up to
better products with generally higher margins for the retailer and the Company.

    MAINTAIN STRONG CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE MERCHANDISING
PROGRAMS.  The Company offers extensive merchandising programs to retailers in
order to maximize product line sales and profitability. Merchandising programs,
developed in meetings between the Company and the retailer, address product line
assortments, branding strategies and point-of-sale displays, as well as
promotional and advertising plans and layouts.  In many cases, the Company
oversees the creation of promotional and advertising supplements for its
customers.  Merchandising programs focus on motivating the retail consumer to
"trade up" to better goods that offer higher margins.

    Pillowtex manufactures and markets goods utilizing established and well
recognized licensed trademarks, Company-owned trademarks and trade names,
customer-owned private labels and manufacturers' brand names including the Ralph
Lauren Home Collection, Mickey & Co.-Registered Trademark-, Royal
Velvet-Registered Trademark-, Touch of Class-Registered Trademark-,
Cannon-Registered Trademark-, Nettle Creek-Registered Trademark-,
Martex-Registered Trademark-, Regency by Globe-Registered Trademark-, Blue
Heaven-TM-, Comforel-Registered Trademark- and Dacron-Registered Trademark-.
These names provide the Company with the ability to differentiate its product
offerings from its competitors for different channels of retail distribution and
between different price points.  The Company also provides extensive private
label production for major retailers such as JCPenney Company, Inc., May
Merchandising Corporation and Sears Roebuck and Co.

    CAPITALIZE ON NATIONWIDE PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION CAPABILITIES.
Capitalizing on its initial reputation as a key supplier to department stores,
the Company has become a nationwide supplier for virtually all channels of
retail and institutional distribution.  The Company is a supplier to 47 of the
top 50 retailers in the United States and the top five retailers in Canada.  In
order to most cost effectively ship bed pillows, mattress pads and down
comforters and minimize delivery times, the Company developed regional
production facilities.  Pillowtex is the only supplier of these products with
the capability to produce and ship from coast-to-coast regional production
facilities.  The Company was one of the industry pioneers in the development of
extensive "quick response" capability, including an EDI system for nationwide,
24-hour acceptance of electronically transmitted customer orders.  Through a
single transmission, customers may place orders for multiple product lines for
distribution from the Company's production facilities.  These systems, in
combination with the Company's manufacturing capabilities, enable the Company to
produce and ship products to retailers with lead times as short as three to
five days from receipt of order.

    ENHANCE THE COMPANY'S POSITION AS A LOW COST PRODUCER.  The Company
continually focuses on increasing automation, process improvements and system
controls within the plants and throughout the business that result in


                                          29


improved operational efficiencies.  These efforts have enabled the Company to
achieve what it believes are the highest sales per employee of any major textile
firm in the United States.  The Company also believes that significant
opportunities still exist to improve production efficiency within the blanket
facilities.  During the past 12 months, the Company added a new cotton yarn
spinning plant which enabled it to consolidate two smaller facilities and
resulted in the elimination of significant outside yarn purchases.  The Company
pursues worldwide procurement of both finished products and raw materials to
reduce costs and locate new sources of production.  The Company further
emphasizes continual cost monitoring and the ongoing containment of SG&A
expenses, through consolidation of these functions at acquired companies, better
systems, the retention and training of well qualified staff.  As a result, the
Company was able to record one of the lowest SG&A percentages in the industry
during 1995.

    MAKE SELECTIVE STRATEGIC ACQUISITIONS.  Pillowtex continues to selectively
acquire companies that offer products it believes will complement its existing
lines and will provide product, marketing, channel of distribution or
operational synergies.  Since the early 1980s, Pillowtex has made a number of
acquisitions in order to enter new product lines and markets.  The Company
follows a strategy of consolidating plant and SG&A functions and leveraging its
strong retail relationships to expand sales and profitability.  Through this
strategy, Pillowtex has achieved a compound annual growth rate for net sales of
15.7% and EBITDA of 22.6% over the past five years.

PRODUCTS

    The Company has built its core business around four utility bedding product
lines that have a low risk of obsolescence.  These include bed pillows
(including natural fill, synthetic fiber fill and latex), blankets (including
cotton, wool blends, acrylic and polyester blankets and throws), down comforters
and mattress pads (including thread quilt, sonic quilt and convoluted foam).
The Company also sells other bedroom textile furnishings, including comforter
covers, featherbeds, pillow protectors, decorative pillows, bedspreads,
synthetic comforters, pillow shams, dust ruffles and window treatments.

    BED PILLOWS.  Management believes that the Company is currently a leading
manufacturer and marketer of bed pillows in the United States and Canada.  The
Company produces and markets a broad line of traditional bed pillows, as well as
specially designed bed pillows such as the BodyMate-Registered Trademark- body
pillow and Great Shapes-Registered Trademark- pillows, including Euro Square,
U-Neck and Neck Roll.  The Company offers products at various levels of quality
and price, from synthetic pillows sold at retail prices as low as $5 to fine
white goose down pillows sold at a retail price of up to approximately $185.

    The Company believes that it is a leading feather and down pillow
manufacturer in North America, offering products filled with quality goose and
duck down, or blends of feather and down, in a range of grades.  These
materials, known as "natural fill," are noted for their loft and resiliency.

    The Company also manufactures and markets a full line of bed pillows
featuring staple (cut and crimped), tow (continuous filament) and cluster
(individual ball) synthetic fiber fills.  The Company believes that it is a
leading supplier of premium synthetic and latex bed pillows in the United States
and Canada.

    BLANKETS.  Management believes that the Company is a leading producer of
blankets in the United States, as well as a leading marketer of blankets in
Canada.  The Company manufactures woven and nonwoven conventional and thermal
weave blankets and throws in a wide assortment of fibers, including cotton, wool
blend, acrylic and polyester.  The Company is the exclusive supplier in North
America of blankets for the Ralph Lauren Home Collection.  The Company has a
strong presence in the infant blanket market with products ranging from nonwoven
receiving blankets, to jacquard throws, to the finest Supima-Registered
Trademark- cotton crib blanket.  The Company also designs and manufactures a
full line of decorative cotton and acrylic jacquard throws.

    DOWN COMFORTERS.  The Company was a pioneer in marketing down comforters in
the United States and management believes that the Company is a leading
manufacturer and marketer of down comforters in the United States and Canada.
Down comforters have become increasingly popular for both their insulation and
fashion qualities, selling well in both warm and cool climates.  They sell at
department stores at prices ranging from $70 to approximately $400. Increasingly
popular higher end comforters may offer more down fill, sport higher thread
count shells and feature more appealing "surface interest," such as damask dots,
stripes and checks.


                                          30


    MATTRESS PADS.  Management believes that the Company is a leading
manufacturer and marketer of mattress pads in the United States and Canada.  The
Company produces and markets a complete line of mattress pads, including sizes
for adults and children, natural and synthetic filled, flat, fitted, and
skirted, as well as its Adjust-A-Fit-Registered Trademark- mattress pad, an
adjustable fit mattress pad made with Lycra-Registered Trademark-, a
multidirectional stretch material produced by E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company
("DuPont").  The Adjust-A-Fit-Registered Trademark- mattress pad correctly fits
a broad range of mattress thicknesses, including pillow top mattresses.  The
DuPont Comforel Ultra pillow top mattress pad is a new high end product
introduced in 1995 and exclusively marketed by Pillowtex.

    OTHER BEDROOM TEXTILES.  The Company offers a variety of other
complementary bedroom textile products including comforter covers, featherbeds,
pillow protectors, synthetic fill comforters, decorative pillows, pillow shams,
dust ruffles and window treatments.  These products represent a source of
additional profitability as "add-on" sales for retailers.

MARKETING, SALES AND DISTRIBUTION

    The Company markets its products to virtually all major retailers through
channels of distribution that include department and specialty stores, mass
merchants, discounters and catalogs, as well as institutional suppliers.  The
Company believes that it is one of the principal suppliers of bedroom textile
products to several of the largest retailers in the United States.  The
Company's top 10 customers accounted for approximately 62.0% of total sales in
1995. Wal-Mart and Dayton Hudson accounted for 13.7% and 12.7% of the Company's
total sales in 1995, respectively.  No other customer accounted for more than
10% of total sales in 1995.  For the nine months ended September 28, 1996, sales
to Wal-Mart and Dayton Hudson accounted for 14.7% and 12.5% of the Company's
total sales, respectively.  Consistent with industry practice, the Company does
not generally operate under long-term written supply contracts with its
customers.  See "Risk Factors--Risk of Loss of Material Customers."

    The Company's current international business is concentrated in Canada,
although it also sells in Mexico, Latin America and overseas.  The Company's
acquisition of Torfeaco in 1993, and of Imperial and Beacon in 1994, greatly
enhanced the Company's market position in Canada and its relationships with
important Canadian retailers.

    The Company markets its products under numerous Company-owned trademarks
and trade names and customer-owned private labels, as well as certain licensed
trademarks and trade names.  The Company uses trademarks, trade names and
private labels as merchandising tools to assist its customers in coordinating
their product offerings and differentiating their products from those of their
competitors.

    The Company's relationship with Ralph Lauren began in 1987 and the Ralph
Lauren Home Collection is among its most important licensed trademarks.  The
Company holds an exclusive license for pillows, down comforters, mattress pads
and blankets, and a non-exclusive license for fashion bedding to manufacture,
and in certain cases to sell, a variety of home textile products sold in North
America.  The Ralph Lauren Home Collection products are sold worldwide to fine
department and specialty stores.

    In an effort to maximize the Company's product exposure and increase sales,
Pillowtex works closely with its major customers to assist them in merchandising
and promoting the Company's products to the consumer.  In addition to frequent
personal consultation with the employees of these customers, the Company meets
with its customers' senior management periodically to jointly develop
merchandise assortments and plan promotional events specifically tailored to
that customer.  The Company provides merchandising assistance with store
layouts, fixture designs, advertising and point of sale displays.  The Company
also provides customers with preprinted, customized advertising materials
designed to increase sales.

    The Company's EDI system allows customers to place, and allows the Company
to fill, track and bill, orders by computer.  This system enables the Company to
ship products on a "quick response" basis.

    The Company generally employs salespeople who have many years of industry
experience.  Most sales people are compensated with a combination of salary and
discretionary bonus.  Certain Ralph Lauren Home Collection products are sold by
the Ralph Lauren sales force.


                                          31


PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND LICENSE AGREEMENTS

    The Company holds a patent that utilizes a fabric with multi-directional
stretch for the production of the skirting material for its
Adjust-a-Fit-Registered Trademark- mattress pads.  Beacon also holds both
process and article patents for completely reversible woven printed blankets.
These patents each expire in 2011, subject to timely payment of all future
maintenance fees.  In the opinion of management, the loss of these patents would
not have a material adverse effect on the Company's overall business.

    The Company owns various trademarks and trade names, including Blue
Heaven-TM-, Softie-Registered Trademark-, Regency by Globe-Registered
Trademark-, and BodyMate-Registered Trademark-.  The Company regards its
trademarks and trade names as valuable assets and vigorously protects them
against infringement.

    Pillowtex holds the exclusive license for the highly regarded Ralph Lauren
Home Collection for pillows, down comforters, mattress pads and blankets, and a
non-exclusive license for fashion bedding to manufacture, and in certain cases
sell, a variety of home textile products in North America.  The Company also has
entered into exclusive license agreements with Fieldcrest for the manufacture
and sale of various goods, including bed pillows, mattress pads and down
comforters under the Cannon-Registered Trademark-, Royal Velvet-Registered
Trademark-, Charisma-Registered Trademark-, and Touch of Class-Registered
Trademark- trademarks.  In addition, the Company manufactures and sells various
goods, including pillows, blankets and throws under non-exclusive license
agreements with Disney for the Disney standard characters including Mickey
Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Donald Duck, as well as other characters and film
properties such as Winnie the Pooh and Lion King.  The Company also markets
products under trademark license agreements with various other organizations
including DuPont, WestPoint Stevens, Inc. and the U.S. Postal Service.  These
license agreements generally require royalty payments based upon product sales,
including payments of minimum annual royalties, and expire at various future
dates from 1996 to 1999.  See "Risk Factors--Dependence on Key Licenses."

    Upon consummation of the Acquisition, the Company will enter into the
License Agreement, which will provide for a 25-year worldwide exclusive right to
market Blanket Products and Pillow Products under the Licensed Marks.  The
royalty rate applicable to the sale of Pillow Products under the License
Agreement is lower than the average royalty rate on the sale of such products
under the Company's existing license agreement with Fieldcrest.  However, there
can be no assurance that the Acquisition will be consummated.  See "Risk
Factors--Risk of Failure to Consummate the Acquisition."

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

    The Company's product development staff creates and develops products with
new or superior performance characteristics in cooperation with various outside
sources, including its suppliers and customers.  The Company believes that this
ability is an important competitive advantage.  As a result, the Company commits
time and resources to identifying new materials, designs and products from a
variety of domestic and international vendors.

    In addition to internal product development, the Company's acquisitions
have expanded its product lines and enhanced its manufacturing and other
resources available for developing existing and new product lines.

MANUFACTURING, RAW MATERIALS AND IMPORTS

    Pillowtex operates an extensive network of manufacturing and distribution
facilities in Texas, California, Illinois, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Toronto, Canada.  The Company's
nationwide manufacturing and distribution network enables Pillowtex to ship
pillows, mattress pads and comforters cost effectively to all major cities in
the United States and Canada.  The hub of the network for pillows and comforters
is located in Dallas, Texas, where the Company operates what it believes to be
the largest feather and down processing facility in North America, as well as an
automated, high speed pillow shell manufacturing facility.  Raw materials for
bed pillows and down comforters undergo initial processing at the Dallas
locations, which yields significant economies of scale, and are shipped along
with imported products to the Company's regional facilities for final assembly
and distribution to customers.

    Feather and down are processed by state-of-the-art computerized washing and
sorting equipment.  Through this process, washed feathers and down are sorted
into a variety of mixtures and grades used in manufacturing natural fill


                                          32


pillows and comforters.  The Company also operates an automated sewing facility
in Dallas, Texas, where high speed, computerized machines cut and sew fabric
into pillow shells.

    Many of the Company's regional manufacturing facilities produce natural
fill and synthetic fill pillows.  Natural fill pillows are assembled by blowing
processed feather and down into the pillow shell and sewing the open seam
closed. Synthetic fill pillows are produced on machines known as garnets that
pull, comb and expand compressed polyester fibers. Once expanded, the fibers are
inserted into a pillow shell and the open seam is sewn shut.

    Mattress pads are manufactured at the California, Mississippi, Pennsylvania
and Toronto, Canada facilities by two automated methods.  The traditional quilt
sewing method uses high speed equipment that sews the top, bottom and fill
material together.  The sonic method fuses the top, bottom and fill material
together.

    The Company's line of natural fill comforters in 1995 consisted of some
finished products imported from China and products manufactured by the Company
at its California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Mississippi and Toronto, Canada
locations using processed down from the Dallas facility.  In 1996, the Company
began manufacturing virtually all its down comforters.  The Company imports the
majority of its comforter shells from China, Hong Kong and India.

    The Company produces blankets at manufacturing facilities in North
Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. These plants provide full vertical
production capability, including spinning, weaving, dying and finishing.  During
1995, the Company acquired a facility in Newton, North Carolina, for the
spinning of cotton yarn.  The acquisition of this facility enabled the Company
to consolidate two smaller spinning operations and replace the Company's
external cotton yarn purchases, which represented nearly one-third of the
Company's requirements, with internal production.

    As with its other lines of business, the Company plans the continuation of
equipment and plant upgrades over the next several years in order to facilitate
full integration of these Subsidiaries, increase production efficiency and add
capacity.

    The Company's quality control program is designed to assure that its
products meet predetermined quality standards established both internally and by
its customers.  The Company has devoted significant resources to support its
quality improvement efforts.  Each manufacturing facility is staffed with a
quality control team that identifies and resolves quality issues.  The Company
attempts to maintain close contact with customer quality control or other
appropriate personnel to assure the Company understands the customer's
requirements.

    The Company analyzes feather and down and other raw materials, as well as
finished products of both the Company and its competitors, at its facilities in
Dallas, Texas.  The Company maintains a computerized tracking system to monitor
feather and down processing from the receipt of raw materials through the
delivery of finished products.  At the blanket production plants, numerous
distinct quality check points are monitored throughout the manufacturing
process. The Company also has a program with its major suppliers to assure the
consistency of purchased raw materials by imposing strict standards and
materials inspection, and requiring rapid response to the Company's complaints.

    The principal raw materials that the Company uses in manufacturing its
products are: feather and down; synthetic (polyester and acrylic), cotton and
wool fibers; and cotton and poly/cotton blend fabrics.  The Company imports
feather and down from several sources outside the United States.  A majority of
such purchases are from China, where feather and down are by-products of ducks
and geese raised for food.  The Company believes that it is currently the
largest United States importer of feather and down from China, the world's
largest producing country.  The Company is generally able to purchase feather
and down from its suppliers in China on open credit terms without letters of
credit.

    In 1994, certain goods imported from China, including down-filled
comforters, comforter shells and comforter covers, were assigned to a new import
group.  The 1994 quota for that group closed in July and, in 1995, the quota
closed in March.  As a consequence, the Company made the strategic decision to
markedly accelerate its import schedule in both years in order to purchase the
required goods prior to the closing of the quota.  In 1995, the Company
diminished its reliance on imported finished goods from China by manufacturing
more of these products in the United States and Canada and by continuing to
develop relationships with suppliers in other countries, including India.  The
Company also opened an office in Hong Kong to facilitate more direct purchases
in China and alternative sources of supply.  In 1996, virtually all down
comforters sold by the Company will be manufactured in the United States and
Canada.  A majority


                                          33


of the comforter shells and comforter covers will be purchased directly, as well
as a significant percentage of raw feather and down, some of which is also
obtained through an independent supplier in the United States.  In addition, in
1995 the Company was successful in achieving a change in the import regulations
regarding down comforter shells, which are not generally manufactured in the
United States.  Since July 1, 1996, no import quota restrictions for shells
remain, which has allowed the Company to import shells as needed and thereby
reduce inventory carrying costs.

    The Company purchases the Lycra-Registered Trademark- used in its
Adjust-A-Fit-Registered Trademark- mattress pads from DuPont.  Because of
DuPont's patent on Lycra-Registered Trademark-, it is the exclusive supplier for
this material.  The Company believes that the risk that DuPont will cease to
manufacture and sell Lycra-Registered Trademark- to the Company is minimal.  The
Company purchases synthetic fiber from, among others, DuPont, Wellman, Inc.,
Monsanto Company, Cytec Industries Inc., Hoechst Celanese Corporation and
Kanematsu U.S.A. Inc.  To reduce the effect of potential price fluctuations, the
Company makes commitments from time to time for future purchases of synthetic
and natural fibers.  In recent years, these suppliers experienced significant
increases in costs due to a worldwide shortage of cotton and synthetic raw
materials and a simultaneous increase in demand.  Consequently, the Company
continued to experience higher than expected price increases in all its raw
materials, including cotton, polyester and wool fiber.  The Company was able to
pass on to its customers only a portion of these increases.

    The Company uses fabric purchased from third parties in the production of
pillow shells, comforter covers and various other products.  Although the
Company believes that fabric is a commodity-type product that is available from
numerous sources, the Company currently purchases large quantities of pillow
ticking fabric from a single supplier to control costs and quality.

    Management of the Company believes that its relationships with its
suppliers are good.

COMPETITION

    The Company participates in a highly competitive industry.  The Company
competes with a number of established manufacturers, importers and distributors
of home textile furnishings, some of which have greater financial, distribution
and marketing resources.  The Company's current competitors consist primarily of
domestic suppliers of bed pillows, blankets, mattress pads, down comforters and
other bedroom textile furnishings.  The home fashion products industry also
includes companies that produce bed sheets, towels and other commodity-type
items.  A number of these companies do not currently offer the Company's
principal products.  There can be no assurance, however, that these companies
will not compete with Pillowtex in the future.

    The Company competes on the basis of price, quality, brand names and
service.  The Company believes that the principal competitive factors affecting
its business include its sales and marketing expertise, its ability to create
and develop products offering superior performance characteristics, its
relationships with customers and its manufacturing and distribution
capabilities.

GOVERNMENT REGULATION

    The Company is subject to various federal, state and local environmental
laws and regulations governing the discharge, storage, handling and disposal of
various substances, including provisions of the California Health and Safety
Code pertaining to air quality management.  The Company is also subject to
federal and state laws and regulations that require products such as bed pillows
and comforters to bear product content labels containing specified information,
including their place of origin and fiber content.  In addition, the Company's
operations are governed by a variety of federal, state, local and foreign laws
and regulations relating to worker safety and health, advertising, importing and
exporting, and other matters applicable to businesses in general.  In 1995, the
Company achieved a change in the import regulations regarding down comforter
shells which are not generally manufactured in the United States.  As a result
of this regulatory change, the Company has been able to import comforter shells
on an unlimited and as-needed basis since July 1, 1996.  All laws and
regulations are subject to change and the Company cannot predict what effect, if
any, changes in laws and regulations might have on its business.


                                          34


BACKLOG

    The amount of the Company's backlog orders at any particular time is
affected by a number of factors, including seasonality and scheduling of the
manufacturing and shipment of products.  In general, the Company's EDI and
"quick response" capabilities have resulted in shortened lead times between
submission of purchase orders and delivery and lowered the level of backlog
orders.  Consequently, the Company believes that the amount of its backlog is
not an appropriate indicator of levels of future production.

EMPLOYEES

    As of September 28, 1996, the Company had approximately 3,890 employees.
The Company is subject to the following collective bargaining agreements:


 
                                                                                                                    NUMBER OF
UNION                                                             LOCATION COVERED            EXPIRATION           EMPLOYEES
- -----                                                            ---------------------         ----------           ---------
                                                                                                           
United Auto Workers                                             Tunica, Mississippi           08/01/99                 225
Warehouse, Mail Order, Office, Technical and Professional
  Employees (Teamsters)                                         Chicago, Illinois             01/31/97                 124
Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union                  Lebanon, Tennessee            03/28/97                 141
Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union (1)              Toronto, Canada               02/28/97                 230


 
- ---------------
(1) The two previously separate union locals in the Company's Canadian
    facilities merged contracts in 1995.

    To date, none of these unions have engaged in strikes or work stoppages
against the Company.  The Company believes that its relationships with both its
union and nonunion employees are good.

FACILITIES

    The following table summarizes certain information concerning certain of
the Company's facilities:


                                                                                             APPROX.      OWNED/
LOCATION                                           PRINCIPAL USE                          SQUARE FEET  LEASED (1)
- --------                          ------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------
                                                                                               
Dallas, Texas                     Headquarters and feather and down processing              104,000     Owned
Dallas, Texas                     General administration, manufacturing and distribution    150,000     Owned
Dallas, Texas                     Warehouse                                                 163,000     Leased
Los Angeles, California           Manufacturing and distribution                            320,000     Leased
Tunica, Mississippi               Manufacturing and distribution                            288,000     Owned
Hanover, Pennsylvania             Manufacturing and distribution                            227,000     Owned
Rocky Mount, North Carolina       Manufacturing and distribution                            139,000     Owned
Rocky Mount, North Carolina       Manufacturing and distribution                             78,000     Leased
Chicago, Illinois                 Manufacturing and distribution                            121,000     Owned
New York, New York                Principal sales office and showroom                        12,500     Leased
Monroe, North Carolina            Manufacturing and distribution                            288,000     Leased
Goodlettsville, Tennessee         Warehouse and distribution                                158,000     Leased
Lebanon, Tennessee                Warehouse and distribution                                 53,000     Leased
Lebanon, Tennessee                Manufacturing                                             175,000     Owned
Toronto, Ontario, Canada          Manufacturing and distribution                             99,000     Leased
Toronto, Ontario, Canada          Manufacturing and distribution                             60,000     Leased
Swannanoa, North Carolina         Manufacturing and distribution                            822,000     Owned
Swannanoa, North Carolina         Office                                                     30,000     Owned
Swannanoa, North Carolina         Outlet Store                                                5,000     Owned
Swannanoa, North Carolina         Warehouse and distribution                                573,000     Owned
Asheville, North Carolina         Warehouse                                                 177,000     Leased
Asheville, North Carolina         Warehouse                                                 254,000     Leased
Asheville, North Carolina         Warehouse                                                 185,000     Leased
Westminster, South Carolina       Manufacturing and distribution                            308,000     Owned


                                       35



Westminster, South Carolina       Office                                                      6,000     Owned
Westminster, South Carolina       Warehouse and distribution                                284,000     Owned
Westminster, South Carolina       Warehouse                                                  29,000     Leased
Westminster, South Carolina       Warehouse                                                  54,000     Owned
Newton, North Carolina            Manufacturing and distribution                            297,000     Leased
Wanchai, Hong Kong                Office                                                        218     Leased


 
- ---------------
(1) For additional information concerning the Company's leases, see note 13 of
    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

    Pillowtex also maintains small sales offices for its sales staff in
Massachusetts, Washington, North Carolina, Minnesota, California and Arkansas.

    On September 18, 1995, the Company entered into a five-year operating lease
for the use of a cotton yarn production facility in Newton, North Carolina.  The
yarn mill, which is fully staffed and operational, is being utilized to
consolidate the Company's cotton yarn spinning and significantly reduce the need
for outside purchases.  This transaction was financed through the use of an $8.5
million lease agreement between Sanwa General Equipment Leasing and the Company.

    The Company believes that its facilities are generally well maintained, in
good operating condition and adequate for its current needs.  The Company will
continue to emphasize improvements at its blanket facilities in North Carolina,
South Carolina and Tennessee, upgrading the physical plant and purchasing
additional and newer machinery and equipment.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

    Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any pending
legal proceedings, other than ordinary, routine litigation incidental to its
business, none of which is material to the results of operations or financial
condition of the Company.


                                          36




                                      MANAGEMENT

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

    The following table sets forth certain information regarding the directors
and executive officers of the Company as of December 12, 1996:



 
                                                                                      DIRECTOR'S
NAME                                   AGE       POSITION WITH THE COMPANY           TERM EXPIRES
- ----                                   ---       -------------------------           ------------
                                                                             
Charles M. Hansen, Jr. . . . . . .     56   Chairman of the Board, President and         1997
                                               Chief Executive Officer
Christopher N. Baker . . . . . . .     36   President--Pillowtex Division and a          1998
                                               Director
Jeffrey D. Cordes. . . . . . . . .     38   Executive Vice President, Chief              1998
                                               Financial Officer, Assistant Secretary
                                               and a Director
Scott E. Shimizu . . . . . . . . .     43   Executive Vice President-Sales and           1999
                                               Marketing and a Director
Ronald M. Wehtje . . . . . . . . .     34   Vice President-Corporate Controller           -
Paul G. Gillease . . . . . . . . .     64   Director                                     1999
William B. Madden. . . . . . . . .     57   Director                                     1997
M. Joseph McHugh . . . . . . . . .     59   Director                                     1997
Mary R. Silverthorne . . . . . . .     61   Director                                     1998


 
    CHARLES M. HANSEN, JR. has been a director of the Company since September
1970 and President since 1973. He has been Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
of the Board of Directors since December 1992.  He is also a director of
Triangle Pacific Corp. and the Southern Methodist University Cox School of
Business.

    CHRISTOPHER N. BAKER has been a director of the Company since May 1995 and
has been President--Pillowtex Division since February 1995.  From January 1993
until February 1995, he served as Senior Vice President--Sales and Marketing of
the Company.  From 1991 through January 1993, Mr. Baker served as Vice President
of Operations of The Company Store, Inc., an apparel and home furnishings
catalog merchandiser.  From 1985 to 1991, Mr. Baker held various accounting and
manufacturing positions with the Company, including Executive Vice
President--Manufacturing from 1988 to 1991.

    JEFFREY D. CORDES has been a director of the Company since May 1995 and has
been Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary
of the Company since May 1994.  From 1985 until May 1994 he served as Vice
President--Administration and Planning of the Company.

    SCOTT E. SHIMIZU served as a member of the Board of Directors from May 1994
to May 1995, and was appointed in February 1996 to fill a vacancy thereon.  He
has been Executive Vice President--Sales and Marketing since December 1992, and
has served as Executive Vice President since 1988.

    RONALD M. WEHTJE has been Vice President--Corporate Controller since March
1996 and has served as Division Controller since December 1994.  Prior to that
time, he served in various positions of increasing responsibility since joining
the Company in 1986 as an internal auditor.

    PAUL G. GILLEASE became a director of the Company in October 1993.  From
1989 until retiring in late 1993, Mr. Gillease was Vice President and General
Manager of DuPont Textiles, a division of E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company.
Previously, he served in a variety of marketing and business management
positions within DuPont. Mr. Gillease is also a director of Galey & Lord, Inc.
and Guilford Mills, Inc.

    WILLIAM B. MADDEN became a director of the Company in February 1993.
Mr. Madden has been the President of Madden Securities Corporation, a general
securities and investment banking firm located in Dallas, Texas, since 1986. He
is also Chairman of the Board of Mercantile Bank and Trust, and is a director of
E. W. Blanch Holdings Inc.


                                          37




    M. JOSEPH MCHUGH became a director of the Company in February 1993.
Mr. McHugh has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Triangle
Pacific Corp., a manufacturer and distributor of wood flooring and kitchen and
bathroom cabinets, since November 1994 and is a director of such company.  From
1981 until November 1994, he served as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Triangle Pacific Corp.

    MARY R. SILVERTHORNE has been a director of the Company since December
1992.  Mrs. Silverthorne has for many years been actively involved in charitable
and civic activities and is a director of the Retina Foundation of the Southwest
(Dallas), the Foundation Fighting Blindness, the North Texas Taping for the
Blind and the Assistance League of Dallas. She has not been engaged in business
activities during the past five years.

    The Board of Directors currently consists of eight members and is
classified into three classes.  Directors serve for three-year terms or until
their successors are duly elected and qualified.  Subject to applicable
employment agreements, all officers of the Company are appointed by and serve at
the discretion of the Board of Directors.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

    The Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Hansen, effective
January 1, 1993, pursuant to which the Company agreed to employ Mr. Hansen as
its Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer until
December 31, 1999.  Mr. Hansen receives a base salary of $750,000 per year,
subject to such increases as the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors may determine.  In addition, Mr. Hansen is entitled to bonuses at the
discretion of the Compensation Committee, life insurance benefiting his
designees in the amount of $3.0 million and disability payments equal to 60% of
his base salary at the time of disability for the longer of five years or the
remaining term of his employment agreement.  If Mr. Hansen is terminated other
than as permitted by the employment agreement, he will be entitled to an
immediate payment equal to his compensation for the remainder of the term on a
"grossed up" basis to reimburse him for the income taxes on such payment.
Mr. Hansen is also entitled to an annual "gross up" payment to reimburse him for
income taxes due arising out of certain fringe benefits received from the
Company.

    The employment agreement permits the Company to terminate Mr. Hansen
without further compensation for, among other things, courses of conduct that
demonstrably affect the Company's reputation in a materially adverse manner,
provided Mr. Hansen first has the opportunity to terminate the conduct after
receiving notice.  Mr. Hansen may also voluntarily terminate his employment with
the Company at any time.  The employment agreement, nevertheless, contains a
provision prohibiting Mr. Hansen from competing with the Company during the term
of his employment and for a period of one year after termination.

    Pursuant to an amendment to Mr. Hansen's employment agreement, dated
July 26, 1993, the $3.0 million term life insurance coverage provided to
Mr. Hansen was changed to an equal amount of split dollar life insurance.  Under
the terms of a split dollar life insurance agreement between the Company and
Mr. Hansen, dated July 26, 1993, the Company agreed to maintain the premium
payments that would have been payable by the Company had the term life insurance
remained in effect, and to loan to Mr. Hansen the balance of the premiums as
they become due.   Amounts loaned to Mr. Hansen in connection with these premium
payments are evidenced by a promissory note to the Company, and bear interest
quarterly, at a floating annual interest rate equal to the greater of the
federal mid-term interest rate as published by the Internal Revenue Service or
the lowest rate at which the Company could borrow funds under its bank loan
agreements.  As of September 28, 1996, the amount outstanding under the
promissory note was $158,620.  The promissory note is due August 5, 2003, or
such earlier date as may be required pursuant to the terms of the split dollar
life insurance agreement.  Mr. Hansen has executed an assignment of the split
dollar life insurance policy in favor of the Company as security for payment of
amounts loaned to Mr. Hansen in connection therewith.

    The Company also entered into employment agreements with three executive
officers.  The Company agreed, effective September 1, 1995 to employ: Scott E.
Shimizu as Executive Vice President--Sales; Jeffrey D. Cordes as Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer; and Christopher N. Baker as
President--Pillowtex Division.  Each agreement extends through September 1,
1998, and thereafter automatically extends for consecutive one-year periods.
Under each agreement, the officer receives a base salary of $275,000 per year,
and is entitled to bonuses of not more than 50% of his annual base salary as
determined solely at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.  Each of
these agreements permits the Company to terminate the officer without further
compensation for, among other things, willful and continued failure to perform
his duties or the willful engagement in conduct which is demonstrably and
materially


                                          38




injurious to the Company, provided he first has the opportunity to terminate the
conduct after receiving notice.  In addition, each agreement also contains
provisions prohibiting the executive officer from competing with the Company
during the term of his agreement and for an additional period of up to
18 months.  In connection with each such employment agreement, the Company has
granted each of these executive officers stock appreciation rights relating to
all options granted under the Stock Option Plan that are held by such officers
in the event of a change of control.

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

    The Company pays each non-employee director an annual fee of $30,000 and
$1,000 for each committee meeting attended.  The Company also reimburses each
director for ordinary and necessary travel expenses related to such director's
attendance at Board of Directors and committee meetings.  For a discussion of
the Stock Option Plan and the grant of certain nonqualified stock options to the
nonemployee directors of the Company under the Stock Option Plan, see "--Stock
Option Plan."


                                          39




EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

    SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE.  The following table sets forth the
compensation paid or accrued for services rendered to the Company for the last
three fiscal years to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the highest
compensated executive officers who served as executive officers during 1995 and
whose individual total cash compensation exceeded $100,000:

                              SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE



 

                                                                                        LONG TERM
                                                   ANNUAL COMPENSATION                 COMPENSATION
                                                   -------------------                 ------------
                                                                                        SECURITIES
                                                                       OTHER ANNUAL     UNDERLYING     ALL OTHER
                                      FISCAL    SALARY     BONUS     COMPENSATION (1)  OPTIONS/SARS  COMPENSATION (2)
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION             YEAR      ($)       ($)            ($)            (#)            ($)
- ---------------------------            ------   -------    ------     ----------------  ------------  ----------------
                                                                                    
Charles M. Hansen, Jr.                 1995    750,000         -         71,331              -            450
  Chairman of the Board of             1994    750,000         -         97,254              -            288
  Directors, President and             1993    750,000         -         74,689              -              -
  Chief Executive Officer
Christopher N. Baker                   1995    265,000         -              -          5,000             66
  President--                          1994    180,417         -              -          5,000             54
  Pillowtex Division                   1993    140,384         -         62,658         23,572             54
Jeffrey D. Cordes                      1995    265,000         -              -          5,000             66
  Executive Vice President,            1994    203,208         -              -          5,000             66
  Chief Financial Officer and          1993    136,750         -          5,000         23,572             75
  Assistant Secretary
Scott E. Shimizu                       1995    245,000         -              -          5,000            102
  Executive Vice President--           1994    209,750         -              -             --            102
  Sales and Marketing                  1993    202,167     5,000              -         28,572            138
John G. Pierce (3)                     1995    108,752    47,126              -         23,000         87,500
  President--                          1994          -         -              -              -              -
  Beacon Division                      1993          -         -              -              -              -


 

(1) Certain of the Company's executive officers receive personal benefits in
    addition to salary and cash bonuses.  Amounts that do not exceed the lesser
    of $50,000 or 10% of the total of the annual salary and bonus reported for
    the named executive officer have been omitted.  Detail regarding individual
    amounts paid that do not exceed 25% of the total of all Other Annual
    Compensation has not been provided.  In 1995, the amount paid to Mr. Hansen
    included $20,972 for reimbursement of estimated income taxes that will be
    paid by Mr. Hansen due as a result of certain benefits received in 1995.
    In 1994, the amount paid to Mr. Hansen included $28,794 for reimbursement
    of income taxes paid by Mr. Hansen due as a result of certain benefits paid
    in 1993.  In 1993, no individual amount paid to Mr. Hansen exceeded 25% of
    the total of all Other Annual Compensation and, therefore, no detail has
    been provided.  The amount paid to Mr. Baker in 1993 constituted $49,609 of
    relocation expenses paid by the Company and reimbursement of $13,049 of
    income taxes due as a result thereof.

(2) For Messrs. Hansen, Shimizu, Cordes and Baker, these amounts were paid for
    the years indicated for group term life insurance.  The amount paid to
    Mr. Pierce constituted a severance payment of $87,500 upon his resignation.

(3) Mr. Pierce became an executive officer in February 1995 and resigned
    effective August 1, 1995.


                                          40




    GRANTS OF STOCK OPTIONS.  The following table sets forth certain
information with respect to individual grants of stock options and freestanding
SARs to each person named in the Summary Compensation Table during the year
ended December 30, 1995:

                          OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR



                                                                                       POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                                                                     VALUE AT ASSUMED ANNUAL
                                                                                       RATES OF STOCK PRICE
                                                                                         APPRECIATION FOR
                                             INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                             OPTION TERM
                        ---------------------------------------------------------    ------------------------
                           NUMBER OF      % OF TOTAL
                          SECURITIES      OPTIONS/SARS   EXERCISE
                          UNDERLYING       GRANTED TO    OR BASE
                         OPTIONS/SARS     EMPLOYEES IN    PRICE       EXPIRATION
    NAME                GRANTED (#)(1)    FISCAL YEAR     ($/SH)         DATE           5% ($)        10% ($)
    ----                --------------    -------------  --------     ----------        ------        -------
                                                                                     
Charles M. Hansen, Jr.           -              -              -              -              -              -
Christopher N. Baker         5,000            2.7           8.88       04/02/05         27,907         70,722
Jeffrey D. Cordes            5,000            2.7           8.88       04/02/05         27,907         70,722
Scott E. Shimizu             5,000            2.7           8.88       04/02/05         27,907         70,722
John G. Pierce(2)           23,000           12.3          14.00       04/02/05         10,498        207,448



- ---------------
(1) Options become exercisable in four 25% increments beginning on the first
    anniversary date of the grant.

(2) All options held by Mr. Pierce expired 85 days after his resignation on
    August 1, 1995.


    STOCK OPTION EXERCISES AND FISCAL YEAR END STOCK OPTION VALUES.  Set forth
in the table below is information concerning the exercise of stock options and
freestanding SARs during 1995 and the amount held and the value thereof as of
December 30, 1995 by each person named in the Summary Compensation Table:

                 AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
                          OPTION VALUES AT DECEMBER 30, 1995





                                                           Number of Securities
                                                           Underlying Unexercised    Value of Unexercised in-the-
                                                             Options/SARs at            Money Options/SARs at
                                                           December 30, 1995 (#)        December 30, 1995 ($)
                                                       ---------------------------  -----------------------------
                           Shares
                          Acquired         Value
Name                     on Exercise (#)  Realized ($)  Exercisable  Unexercisable  Exercisable    Unexercisable
- ----                     ---------------  ------------  -----------   -------------  -----------    -------------
                                                                                 
Charles M. Hansen, Jr.        -               -              -              -             -               -
Christopher N. Baker          -               -           13,036         20,536           -            13,750
Jeffrey D. Cordes             -               -           13,036         20,536           -            13,750
Scott E. Shimizu              -               -           14,286         19,286           -            13,750
John G. Pierce(1)             -               -              -              -             -               -


- ---------------
(1) John G. Pierce resigned from the Company effective August 1, 1995.


                                          41


    PENSION PLAN.  The Company maintains a defined benefit pension plan (the
"Pension Plan") covering substantially all of its employees, other than
employees of the Company's Canadian subsidiary, Torfeaco, and other employees
subject to collective bargaining agreements.  The Company funds the Pension Plan
through annual contributions in an amount between the minimum required and the
maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income taxes.

    The following table presents certain information concerning annual benefits
provided under the Pension Plan:

                                  PENSION PLAN TABLE

                                  Years of Service (1)
                   -----------------------------------------------
 REMUNERATION (2)      15      20        25        30        35
 ----------------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
  $125,000         $16,682   $22,243   $27,804   $33,365   $38,926
   150,000          20,432    27,243    34,054    40,865    47,676
   175,000          20,432    27,243    34,054    40,865    47,676
   200,000          20,432    27,243    34,054    40,865    47,676
   225,000          20,432    27,243    34,054    40,865    47,676
   250,000          20,432    27,243    34,054    40,865    47,676
   300,000          20,432    27,243    34,054    40,865    47,676

- ---------------
(1)  Estimated credited years of service as of December 30, 1995 for the
     executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table (excluding
     Mr. Pierce) are as follows: Charles M. Hansen, Jr.--31 years; Scott E.
     Shimizu--14 years; Jeffrey D. Cordes--12 years; and Christopher N.
     Baker--9 years.

(2)  An employee's compensation for purposes of determining pension benefits is
     calculated on substantially the same basis as the employee's cash
     compensation set forth in the Summary Compensation Table, excluding
     commissions, overtime, bonuses and other compensation disclosed therein.
     The final average compensation (equal to the highest consecutive five-year
     average of the participant's compensation in the ten-year period before
     retirement or termination) of any participant may not exceed $250,000.  In
     addition, the Internal Revenue Service maximum compensation allowed for
     benefits for the 1995 plan year is $150,000.  Therefore, 1995 covered
     compensation for all employees would be limited to $150,000.

     Benefits under the Pension Plan are integrated with Social Security and are
computed as straight life annuities. The benefits shown are not offset by any
other Company benefits or by Social Security.

STOCK OPTION PLAN

     Pursuant to the Stock Option Plan, options may be granted to eligible
employees and non-employee Directors for the purchase of an aggregate of up to
1,200,000 shares of Common Stock.  Employees eligible under the Stock Option
Plan are those whose performance and responsibilities are determined to be
influential to the Company's success.  The Stock Option Plan is currently
administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which
determines, in its discretion, the number of shares subject to each option
granted and the related purchase price and option period. Both nonqualified
stock options and incentive stock options, as defined by the Internal Revenue
Code, may be granted under the Stock Option Plan.

     The Stock Option Plan requires that the exercise price for each stock
option must be not less than 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock
at the time the option is granted.  No incentive stock option, however, may be
granted to an employee who owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power
of all classes of outstanding stock of Pillowtex unless the option price is at
least 110% of the fair market value of the Common Stock at the date of grant.
The fair market value of stock options that may be granted to an employee in any
calendar year is not limited, but no employee may be granted incentive stock
options that first come exercisable during a calendar year to purchase Common
Stock with an aggregate fair market value (determined as of the date of grant of
each option) in excess of $100,000.  An incentive stock option counts against
the annual limitation only in the year it first becomes exercisable.  Incentive
stock options may not be granted to non-employee directors.

     The option period may not be more than 10 years from the date the options
granted.  Options may be exercised in annual installments as specified by the
Board of Directors.  All installments that become exercisable are cumulative and
may be exercised at any time after they become exercisable until the option
expires.  Options are not assignable.


                                          42


     Full payment for shares purchased upon exercise of an option must be made
at the time of exercise.  No shares may be issued until full payment is made.
The Stock Option Plan provides that an option agreement may permit an optionee
to tender previously owned shares of Common Stock in partial or full payment for
shares to be purchased on exercising an option.  Unless sooner terminated by
action of the Board, the Stock Option Plan will terminate in February 2003.
Subject to certain exceptions, the Stock Option Plan may be amended, altered, or
discontinued by the Board of Directors without shareholder approval.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

     The Compensation Committee consists entirely of non-employee directors.
The members of the Board of Directors who served on the Compensation Committee
during 1995 were Messrs. Gillease and Madden, Mrs. Silverthorne, and a former
director of the Company, Mr. John D. Miller.  Mr. Miller served on the
Compensation Committee until his resignation from the Board of Directors in
January 1996.

     Charles M. Hansen, Jr. has served on the board of directors of Triangle
Pacific Corp. since 1992 and currently serves on its compensation committee.  M.
Joseph McHugh is a director and executive officer of Triangle Pacific Corp. and
was elected as a director of the Company in February 1993.  Except as described
above, no executive officer of the Company serves as a member of the
compensation committee or other board committee performing similar functions of
any other entity.

     In February 1996, the Company entered into an agreement with Paul G.
Gillease, a director of the Company, to provide management consulting services
to the Company.  The agreement provides for a monthly consulting fee of $9,000
and reimbursement of travel expenses, and is cancellable by the Company or
Mr. Gillease upon 90 days' notice.

     CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     In February 1996, the Company entered into an agreement with Paul G.
Gillease, a director of the Company, to provide management consulting services
to the Company.  The agreement provides for a monthly consulting fee of $9,000
and reimbursement of travel expenses, and is cancellable by the Company or
Mr. Gillease upon 90 days' notice.


                                          43




                                PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

     The following table sets forth certain information concerning the
beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock, as of December 12, 1996, by
each person known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the
outstanding Common Stock, certain executive officers and each director of the
Company, and all executive officers and directors as a group.  Except as
otherwise indicated, the Company believes that the owners named below have sole
voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock
indicated.


 

                                                                 SHARES OF
                                                                COMMON STOCK            PERCENT OF
                                                                ------------            ----------
NAME                                                          BENEFICIALLY OWNED           CLASS
- ----                                                          ------------------           -----
                                                                                  
Charles M. Hansen, Jr. (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      2,853,104                26.9%
John H. Silverthorne Marital Trust B (2) . . . . . . . . . .      2,368,893                22.3
Mary R. Silverthorne (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        662,811                 6.2
Paul G. Gillease (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          4,786                *
William B. Madden (3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          4,679                *
M. Joseph McHugh (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          7,679                *
Scott E. Shimizu (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         24,649                *
Jeffrey D. Cordes (3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         24,624                *
Christopher N. Baker (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         25,609                *
Pioneering Management Corporation (4). . . . . . . . . . . .        535,500                 5.0
All executive officers and directors as a group
  (10 persons) (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      5,976,864                56.3%


 
- ---------------
*   Less than 1%

(1) Mr. Hansen's address is 4111 Mint Way, Dallas, Texas 75237.

(2) The address of the John H. Silverthorne Marital Trust B and
    Mrs. Silverthorne is 4111 Mint Way, Dallas, Texas, 75237.  Under the rules
    and regulations of the Commission, Mrs. Silverthorne may be deemed the
    beneficial owner of the shares held by the John H. Silverthorne Marital
    Trust B because she is its independent trustee.  In addition,
    Mrs. Silverthorne, in her capacity as trustee, may be deemed the beneficial
    owner of 42,857 shares held by the John H. Silverthorne Family Trust A,
    14,285 shares held by the Bridget Russell Silverthorne Trust A and
    14,285 shares held by the John H. Silverthorne, Jr. Trust A.
    Mrs. Silverthorne disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares other than
    the 591,384 shares that she holds of record.

(3) Includes options which are currently exercisable, or become exercisable
    within 60 days of the date hereof, to purchase the number of shares of
    Common Stock indicated for the following persons: Mr. Gillease (1,786),
    Mr. Madden (2,679), Mr. McHugh (2,679), Mr. Shimizu (22,679), Mr. Cordes
    (20,179) and Mr. Baker (20,179).

(4) The address of Pioneering Management Corporation, a Delaware corporation,
    is 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109.  According to the
    Schedule 13G filed by Pioneering Management Corporation with the
    Commission on January 26, 1996 and which reflects ownership as of
    December 31, 1995, Pioneering Management Corporation owns all of such
    shares with sole dispositive power and sole voting power.


                                          44

                                 DESCRIPTION OF NOTES


    EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE INDICATED BELOW, THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY APPLIES TO BOTH
THE OLD NOTES AND THE NEW NOTES.  AS USED HEREIN, THE TERM "NOTES" SHALL MEAN
THE OLD NOTES AND THE NEW NOTES, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED. 

    The form and terms of the New Notes are substantially identical to the form
and terms of the Old Notes, except that (i) the exchange of the New Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be registered under the Securities Act, (ii)
the New Notes will not provide for payment of penalty interest as Liquidated
Damages, which terminate upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, and (iii) the
New Notes will not bear any legends restricting transfer thereof.  The New Notes
will be issued solely in exchange for an equal principal amount of Old Notes. 
As of the date hereof, $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of Old Notes is
outstanding.  See "The Exchange Offer."

GENERAL

    The Old Notes are, and the New Notes will be, issued pursuant to the
Indenture among the Company, the Guarantors and Bank One, Columbus, N.A., as
trustee (the "Trustee").  The terms of the Notes include those stated in the
Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 (the "Trust Indenture Act").  The Notes are subject to all
such terms, and holders of Notes are referred to the Indenture and the Trust
Indenture Act for a statement thereof.  The following summary of certain
provisions of the Indenture does not purport to be complete and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the Indenture, including the definitions therein of
certain terms used below.  A copy of the Indenture is filed as an exhibit to the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement and is available as set forth under
"--Available Information."  The definitions of certain terms used in the
following summary are set forth below under "-- Certain Definitions." 

PRINCIPAL, MATURITY AND INTEREST

    The Notes will be limited in aggregate principal amount to $125.0 million
and will mature on November 15, 2006.  Interest on the Notes will accrue at the
rate of 10% per annum and will be payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and
November 15, commencing on May 15, 1997, to holders of record on the immediately
preceding May 1 and November 1.  Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most
recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid,
from the date of original issuance.  Interest will be computed on the basis of a
360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.  Principal, premium, if any, and
interest and Liquidated Damages on the Notes will be payable at the office or
agency of the Company maintained for such purpose within the City and State of
New York or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest and Liquidated
Damages may be made by check mailed to the holders of Notes at their respective
addresses set forth in the register of holders of Notes; provided that all
payments with respect to Notes that the holders of which have given wire
transfer instructions to the Company will be required to be made by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the holders
thereof.  Until otherwise designated by the Company, the Company's office or
agency in New York will be the office of the Trustee maintained for such
purpose.  The Notes will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral
multiples thereof. 

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES

    The Company's payment obligations under the Notes are jointly and severally
guaranteed by the Guarantors. The Guarantee of each Guarantor is subordinated to
the prior payment in full of all Guarantor Senior Indebtedness of such
Guarantor, which would include the guarantees of the Company's obligations under
the Credit Agreement issued by the Guarantors.  The obligations of each
Guarantor under its Guarantee is limited so as not to constitute a fraudulent
conveyance under applicable law.  See "Risk Factors--Fraudulent Conveyance
Statutes." 

    The Indenture provides that no Guarantor may consolidate with or merge with
or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), another
corporation, Person or entity whether or not affiliated with such Guarantor
unless (i) subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, the Person
formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such
Guarantor) assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor under the Notes and the
Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee, and (ii) immediately after giving effect to such
transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists. 

                                          45

    The Indenture provides that (i) upon the release by all holders of Senior
Indebtedness and Guarantor Senior Indebtedness of all Guarantees issued by a
Guarantor relating to such Senior Indebtedness and Guarantor Senior Indebtedness
and all Liens on the property and assets of such Guarantor relating to Senior
Indebtedness and Guarantor Senior Indebtedness or (ii) in the event of a sale or
other disposition of all of the assets of any Guarantor, by way of merger,
consolidation or otherwise, or a sale or other disposition of all of the capital
stock of any Guarantor, then such Guarantor (in the event of clause (i) above or
a sale or other disposition, by way of such a merger, consolidation or
otherwise, of all of the capital stock of such Guarantor) or the corporation
acquiring the property (in the event of a sale or other disposition of all of
the assets of such Guarantor) will be released and relieved of any obligations
under its Guarantee; provided that the Net Proceeds of any such sale or other
disposition described in clause (ii) above are applied in accordance with the
applicable provisions of the Indenture.  See "--Repurchase at the Option of
Holders--Asset Sales." 

SUBORDINATION

    The payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, on the Notes is subordinated in right of payment, as set forth
in the Indenture, to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness,
whether outstanding on the date of the Indenture or thereafter incurred. 

    Upon any distribution to creditors of the Company in a liquidation or
dissolution of the Company or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency,
receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its property, an
assignment for the benefit of creditors or any marshaling of the Company's
assets and liabilities, the holders of Senior Indebtedness will be entitled to
receive payment in full of all obligations due in respect of such Senior
Indebtedness (including, in the case of Senior Indebtedness under the Credit
Agreement, interest after the commencement of any such proceeding at the rate
specified in the applicable Senior Indebtedness) before the holders of Notes
will be entitled to receive any payment with respect to the Notes, and until all
Obligations with respect to Senior Indebtedness are paid in full, any
distribution to which the holders of Notes would be entitled shall be made to
the holders of Senior Indebtedness (except that holders of Notes may receive
common equity securities or debt securities that are subordinated at least to
the same extent as the Notes to Senior Indebtedness and any securities issued in
exchange for Senior Indebtedness (collectively, "Permitted Junior Securities")
and payments made from the trust described under "--Legal Defeasance and
Covenant Defeasance").  

    The Company also may not make any payment upon or in respect of the Notes
(except in Permitted Junior Securities or from the trust described under
"--Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance") if (i) a default in the payment of
the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on Designated Senior Indebtedness
occurs and is continuing beyond any applicable period of grace or (ii) any other
default occurs and is continuing with respect to Designated Senior Indebtedness
that permits holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness as to which such
default relates to accelerate its maturity and the Trustee receives a notice of
such default (a "Payment Blockage Notice") from the Company or the holders of
any Designated Senior Indebtedness.  Payments on the Notes may and shall be
resumed (a) in the case of a payment default, upon the date on which such
default is cured or waived and (b) in case of a nonpayment default, the earlier
of the date on which such nonpayment default is cured or waived or 179 days
after the date on which the applicable Payment Blockage Notice is received,
unless the maturity of any Designated Senior Indebtedness has been accelerated. 
No new period of payment blockage may be commenced unless and until (i) 360 days
have elapsed since the effectiveness of the immediately prior Payment Blockage
Notice and (ii) all scheduled payments of principal, premium, if any, and
interest on the Notes that have come due have been paid in full in cash.  No
nonpayment default that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any
Payment Blockage Notice to the Trustee shall be, or be made, the basis for a
subsequent Payment Blockage Notice unless such default shall have been waived
for a period of not less than 90 days. 

    The Indenture further requires that the Company promptly notify holders of
Senior Indebtedness if payment of the Notes is accelerated because of an Event
of Default. 

    As a result of the subordination provisions described above, in the event
of a liquidation or insolvency, holders of Notes may recover less ratably than
creditors of the Company who are holders of Senior Indebtedness.  On a pro forma
basis, after giving effect to the Prior Offering and the application of the
proceeds therefrom, the principal amount of Senior Indebtedness outstanding at
September 28, 1996 would have been approximately $96.5 million.  The Indenture
limits, subject to certain financial tests, the amount of additional
Indebtedness, including Senior Indebtedness, that the

                                          46


Company and its Subsidiaries may incur.  See "Certain Covenants--Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock." 

OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

    The Notes are not redeemable at the Company's option prior to November 15,
2001.  Thereafter, the Notes will be subject to redemption at the option of the
Company, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days'
notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount)
set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon
to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the 12-month period
beginning on November 15 of the years indicated below: 

              YEAR                                    PERCENTAGE
              ----                                    ----------
              2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105.000%
              2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103.333%
              2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101.667%
              2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100.000%

SELECTION AND NOTICE

     If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, selection of
Notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the
requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the
Notes are listed, or, if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by
lot or by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate; provided
that Notes redeemed with the proceeds of an offering of Common Stock as
described below shall be made on a pro rata basis; provided further, that no
Notes of $1,000 or less shall be redeemed in part.  Notices of redemption shall
be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the
redemption date to each holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered
address.  If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption
that relates to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount
thereof to be redeemed.  A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed
portion thereof will be issued in the name of the holder thereof upon
cancellation of the original Note.  On and after the redemption date, interest
ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of them called for redemption. 

MANDATORY REDEMPTION

     Except as set forth below under "--Repurchase at the Option of holders,"
the Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund
payments with respect to the Notes. 

REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

     CHANGE OF CONTROL

     Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of Notes will have
the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000
or an integral multiple thereof) of such holder's Notes pursuant to the offer
described below (the "Change of Control Offer") at an offer price in cash equal
to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid
interest and Liquidated Damages thereon to the date of purchase (the "Change of
Control Payment").  Within ten days following any Change of Control, the Company
will mail a notice to each holder describing the transaction or transactions
that constitute the Change of Control and offering to repurchase Notes pursuant
to the procedures required by the Indenture and described in such notice.  The
Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act
and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws
and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as
a result of a Change of Control. 

     On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent
lawful, (1) accept for payment all Notes or portions thereof properly tendered
pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, (2) deposit with the Paying Agent an
amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or
portions thereof so tendered and (3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the
Trustee the Notes so accepted together with an Officers' Certificate stating the
aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions thereof being purchased by the
Company.  The Paying Agent will promptly mail


                                          47


to each holder of Notes so tendered the Change of Control Payment for such
Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be
transferred by book entry) to each holder a new Note equal in principal amount
to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each
such new Note will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple
thereof.  The Indenture provides that, prior to complying with the provisions of
this covenant, but in any event within 90 days following a Change of Control,
the Company will either repay all outstanding Senior Indebtedness or obtain the
requisite consents, if any, under all agreements governing outstanding Senior
Indebtedness to permit the repurchase of Notes required by this covenant.  The
Company will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or
as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date. 

     The Change of Control provisions described above will be applicable whether
or not any other provisions of the Indenture are applicable.  Except as
described above with respect to a Change of Control, the Indenture does not
contain provisions that permit holders of Notes to require that the Company
repurchase or redeem the Notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or
similar transaction. 

     The Credit Agreement provides that certain change of control events with
respect to the Company would constitute a default thereunder.  Any future credit
agreements or other agreements relating to Senior Indebtedness to which the
Company becomes a party may contain similar restrictions and provisions.  In the
event a Change of Control occurs at a time when the Company is prohibited from
purchasing Notes, the Company could seek the consent of its lenders to the
purchase of Notes or could attempt to refinance the borrowings that contain such
prohibition.  If the Company does not obtain such a consent or repay such
borrowings, the Company will remain prohibited from purchasing Notes.  In such
case, the Company's failure to purchase tendered Notes would constitute an Event
of Default under the Indenture which would, in turn, constitute as default under
the Credit Agreement.  In such circumstances, the subordination provisions in
the Indenture would likely restrict payments to holders of Notes. 

     The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the sale,
lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of "all or substantially all"
of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.  Although
there is a developing body of case law interpreting the phrase "substantially
all," there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable
law.  Accordingly, the ability of a holder of Notes to require the Company to
repurchase such Notes as a result of a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or
other disposition of less than all of the assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole to another Person or group may be uncertain. 

     The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a
Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the
manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth
in the Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and
purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of
Control Offer. 

     ASSET SALES

     The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any
of its Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless (i) the Company (or the
Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of such Asset
Sale at least equal to the fair market value (evidenced by a resolution of the
Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors, having at least one
Independent director, set forth in an Officers' Certificate delivered to the
Trustee, or by an independent appraisal by an accounting, appraisal or
investment banking firm of national standing) of the assets or Equity Interests
issued or sold or otherwise disposed of and (ii) at least 75% of the
consideration therefor received by the Company or such Subsidiary is in the form
of cash. 

     Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale,
the Company may apply such Net Proceeds, at its option, (a) to permanently
reduce Senior Indebtedness (and correspondingly reduce commitments with respect
thereto in the case of any reduction of borrowings under the Credit Agreement,
(b) to the acquisition of a controlling interest in another business, the making
of a capital expenditure or the acquisition of other long-term assets
("Productive Assets"), in each case, in the same or a similar line of business
as the Company was engaged in on the date of the Indenture or (c) to reimburse
the Company or its Subsidiaries for expenditures made, and costs incurred, to
repair, rebuild, replace or restore property subject to loss, damage or taking
to the extent that the net proceeds consist of insurance proceeds received on
account of such loss, damage or taking.  Pending the final application of any
such Net Proceeds, the Company may temporarily reduce Senior Indebtedness or
otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner


                                          48


that is not prohibited by the Indenture.  Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that
are not applied or invested as provided in the first sentence of this paragraph
will be deemed to constitute "Excess Proceeds." When the aggregate amount of
Excess Proceeds exceeds $5.0 million, the Company will be required to make an
offer to all holders of Notes (an "Asset Sale Offer") to purchase the maximum
principal amount of Notes that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds, at
an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount
thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon to the
date of purchase, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. 
To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes tendered pursuant to an Asset
Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Company may use any remaining
Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes.  If the aggregate principal
amount of Notes surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess
Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata
basis.  Upon completion of such offer to purchase, the amount of Excess Proceeds
shall be reset at zero. 

     The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the
Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the
extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the
repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. 

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and its Subsidiaries will be
permitted to consummate one or more Asset Sales with respect to assets or
properties with an aggregate fair market value not in excess of $5.0 million in
the aggregate since the date of the Indenture without complying with clause (ii)
of the first paragraph of this covenant; provided that (a) at least 75% of the
consideration for such Asset Sale constitutes either Productive Assets or cash,
and (b) any Net Proceeds received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in
connection with any Asset Sale permitted to be consummated under this paragraph
shall be subject to the provisions of the second paragraph of this covenant. 

CERTAIN COVENANTS

     RESTRICTED PAYMENTS

     The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any
of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly: (i) declare or pay any dividend
or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Equity Interests of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, any
payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Equity
Interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in their capacity as such
(other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company, dividends or distributions payable to the
Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or dividends or distributions made by a
Subsidiary of the Company to all holders of its Common Stock on a pro rata
basis); (ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any
Equity Interests of the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or any direct or
indirect parent of the Company, (other than any such Equity Interests owned by
the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company); (iii) make any payment on or in
respect of, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for
value any Indebtedness that is pari passu with or subordinated to the Notes,
except at Stated Maturity or (iv) make any Restricted Investment (all such
payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above being
collectively referred to as "Restricted Payments"), unless, at the time of and
after giving effect to such Restricted Payment: 

          (a)  no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
     continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; and 

          (b)  the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and
     after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had
     been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been
     permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to
     the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of
     the covenant described under the caption "--Incurrence of Indebtedness and
     Issuance of Preferred Stock"; and 

          (c)  such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate of all other
     Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Subsidiaries after the date
     of the Indenture (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (v)
     and (w) of the next succeeding paragraph), is less than the sum of (i) 50%
     of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one
     accounting period) commencing September 29, 1996


                                          49


     to the end of the Company's most recently ended fiscal quarter for which
     internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted
     Payment (or, if such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit,
     less 100% of such deficit), plus (ii) 100% of the aggregate net cash
     proceeds received by the Company from the issue or sale since the date of
     the Indenture of Equity Interests of the Company or of debt securities of
     the Company that have been converted into such Equity Interests (other than
     Equity Interests (or convertible debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of
     the Company and other than Disqualified Stock or debt securities that have
     been converted into Disqualified Stock), plus (iii) to the extent that any
     Restricted Investment that was made after the date of the Indenture is sold
     for cash or otherwise liquidated or repaid for cash, the lesser of (A) the
     cash return of capital with respect to such Restricted Investment (less the
     cost of disposition, if any) and (B) the initial amount of such Restricted
     Investment, plus (iv) $7.5 million.

     The foregoing provisions will not prohibit (u) the payment of any dividend
within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at said date of
declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of the
Indenture; (v) the making of any Restricted Investment, or the redemption,
repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests of the
Company, in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially
concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of other Equity
Interests of the Company (other than any Disqualified Stock); provided that the
amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted
Investment, redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition shall be
excluded from clause (c) (ii) of the preceding paragraph; (w) the defeasance,
redemption or repurchase of PARI PASSU or subordinated Indebtedness with the net
cash proceeds from an incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness or the
substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of
Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock); provided that
the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such
redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition shall be excluded from
clause (c) (ii) of the preceding paragraph; (x) the repurchase, redemption or
other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company
or any Subsidiary of the Company held by any member of the Company's (or any of
its Subsidiaries') management pursuant to any management equity subscription
agreement or stock option agreement in effect as of the date of the Indenture;
provided that (A) the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed,
acquired or retired Equity Interests shall not exceed $250,000 in any 12-month
period plus the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company during such
12-month period from any reissuance of Equity Interests by the Company to
members of management of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and (B) no Default or
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing immediately after such
transaction; (y) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing, Investments in the same or similar lines of business as the
Company was engaged in on the date of the Indenture in an aggregate amount not
to exceed $7.5 million since the date of the Indenture (measured as of the date
made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); and (z) so long
as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
ordinary dividends paid by the Company in respect of its Common Stock in an
aggregate amount not to exceed $2.5 million since the date of the Indenture. 

     The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the fair
market value (evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors or a committee
of the Board of Directors having at least one Independent director set forth in
an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee) on the date of the Restricted
Payment of the asset(s) proposed to be transferred by the Company or such
Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment.  Not later
than the date of making any Restricted Payment, the Company shall deliver to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such Restricted Payment is
permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the calculations required by
the covenant "--Restricted Payments" were computed, which calculations may be
based upon the Company's latest available financial statements. 

     INCURRENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS AND ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED STOCK

     The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any
of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume,
guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or
otherwise, with respect to (collectively, "incur") any Indebtedness (including
Acquired Indebtedness) and that the Company will not issue any Disqualified
Stock and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to issue any shares of
preferred stock; provided, however, that (x) the Company may incur Indebtedness
(including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock and (y)
a Guarantor may incur Acquired Indebtedness, in each case if the Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio for the Company's most recently ended four full fiscal quarters
for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the
date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified
Stock is issued


                                          50


would have been at least 2.0 to 1, determined on a pro forma basis (including a
pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional
Indebtedness had been incurred, or the Disqualified Stock had been issued, as
the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period. 

     The foregoing provisions will not apply to: 

     (i)    the incurrence by the Company of Indebtedness under the Credit
Agreement (and guarantees thereof by the Guarantors) in an aggregate principal
amount at any time outstanding (with letters of credit being deemed to have a
principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of the Company and its
Subsidiaries thereunder) not to exceed the greater of (x) $175.0 million and (y)
the sum of (A) 80% of Eligible Accounts Receivable and 65% of Eligible
Inventory, less, in the case of each of clause (x) and clause (y), the aggregate
amount of all Net Proceeds of Asset Sales applied to permanently reduce the
commitments with respect to such Indebtedness pursuant to the covenant described
above under the caption "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Asset Sales"; 

     (ii)   the incurrence by the Company of Indebtedness represented by the
Notes and the incurrence by the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the
Guarantees; 

     (iii)  the incurrence by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of
Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations (whether or not incurred
pursuant to sale and leaseback transactions), mortgage financing or purchase
money obligations, in each case incurred for the purpose of financing all or any
part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of property,
plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or such Subsidiary, in an
aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5.0 million at any time outstanding; 

     (iv)   the incurrence by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which
are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund, Existing
Indebtedness or Indebtedness that was permitted by the Indenture to be incurred
(other than any such Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (i), (ii), (iii),
(v), (vi), (vii) (viii) or (ix) of this paragraph); 

     (v)    the incurrence by the Company or any of its Wholly Owned
Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any
of its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries; provided, however, that (i) if the Company is
the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is expressly subordinate to
the payment in full of all Obligations with respect to the Notes and (ii)(A) any
subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such
Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary and (B) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a
Person that is not either the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary shall be
deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the
Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be; 

     (vi)   the incurrence by the Company of Hedging Obligations that are
incurred for the purpose of fixing or hedging interest rate risk that is
permitted by the terms of the Indenture to be incurred; 

     (vii)  the incurrence by the Company of Hedging Obligations under
commodity hedging and currency exchange agreements; provided that, such
agreements were entered into in the ordinary course of business for the purpose
of limiting risks that arise in the ordinary course of business; 

     (viii) the incurrence of Indebtedness of a Guarantor represented by
guarantees of Indebtedness of the Company that has been incurred in accordance
with the terms of the Indenture; and 

     (ix)   the incurrence by the Company of Indebtedness (in addition to
Indebtedness permitted by any other clause of this paragraph) in an aggregate
principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding not
to exceed $10.0 million. 

     LIENS

     The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any
of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer
to exist any Lien securing Indebtedness on any asset now owned or hereafter


                                          51


acquired, or any income or profits therefrom or assign or convey any right to
receive income therefrom, except Permitted Liens unless all payments due under
the Indenture and the Notes are secured on an equal and ratable basis with the
Indebtedness so secured until such time as such is no longer secured by a Lien;
provided that if such Indebtedness is by its terms expressly subordinated to the
Notes or any Guarantee the Lien securing such Indebtedness shall be subordinate
and junior to the Lien securing the Notes and the Guarantees with the same
relative priority as such subordinate or junior Indebtedness shall have with
respect to the Notes and the Guarantees. 

     DIVIDEND AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING SUBSIDIARIES

     The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any
of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or
suffer to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the
ability of any Subsidiary to (i)(a) pay dividends or make any other
distributions to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (1) on its Capital Stock
or (2) with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by,
its profits, or (b) pay any indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, (ii) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or (iii) transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries, except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing
under or by reason of (a) applicable law, (b) any instrument governing
Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent
such Indebtedness was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such
acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person,
or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the
property or assets of the Person, so acquired, (c) customary non-assignment
provisions in leases entered into in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practices, (d) purchase money obligations for property
acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the
nature described in clause (iii) above on the property so acquired, or (e)
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, provided that, the restrictions contained in
the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are no more
restrictive than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness
being refinanced. 

     MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, OR SALE OF ASSETS

     The Indenture provides that the Company may not consolidate or merge with
or into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation), or sell,
assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all
of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions, to another
corporation, Person or entity unless (i) the Company is the surviving
corporation or the entity or the Person formed by or surviving any such
consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale,
assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been
made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the United States,
any state thereof or the District of Columbia; (ii) the entity or Person formed
by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or
the entity or Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance
or other disposition shall have been made assumes all the obligations of the
Company under the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture
in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; (iii) immediately after such
transaction no Default or Event of Default exists; and (iv) except in the case
of a merger of the Company with or into a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the
Company, the Company or the entity or Person formed by or surviving any such
consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale,
assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been
made (A) will have Consolidated Net Worth immediately after the transaction
equal to or greater than 95% of the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company
immediately preceding the transaction and (B) will, at the time of such
transaction and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such transaction had
occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to
incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described
above under the caption "--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred
Stock." 

     TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

     The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any
of its Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or
otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any
property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any contract, agreement,
understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any
Affiliate (each of the foregoing, an "Affiliate Transaction"), unless (i) such
Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or
the relevant Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained


                                          52


in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Subsidiary with an unrelated
Person, (ii) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related
Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $2.0
million the Company delivers to the Trustee, (a) a resolution of the Board of
Directors set forth in an Officers' Certificate certifying that such Affiliate
Transaction complies with clause (i) above and that such Affiliate Transaction
has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of
Directors and (iii) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of
Related Affiliate transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of
$5.0 million, (b) an opinion as to the fairness to the holders of Notes of such
Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting,
appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing; provided that (w) any
issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities
or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock
options and stock ownership plans approved by the Board of Directors or the
payment of fees and indemnities to directors of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and consistent with the past
practice of the Company or such Subsidiary, (x) loans or advances to employees
in the ordinary course of business, (y) transactions between or among the
Company and/or its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries and (z) Restricted Payments (other
than Investments) that are permitted by the provisions of the Indenture
described above under the caption "--Restricted Payments," in each case, shall
not be deemed Affiliate Transactions. 

     SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS

     The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any
of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction; provided
that the Company may enter into a sale and leaseback transaction if (i) the
Company could have (a) incurred Indebtedness in an amount equal to the
Attributable Indebtedness relating to such sale and leaseback transaction
pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first
paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption "--Incurrence of
Additional Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock" and (b) incurred a Lien
to secure such Indebtedness pursuant to the covenant described above under the
caption "--Liens," (ii) the gross cash proceeds of such sale and leaseback
transaction are at least equal to the fair market value (as determined in good
faith by the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors having
at least one Independent director and set forth in an Officers' Certificate
delivered to the Trustee or an independent appraisal by an accounting, appraisal
or investment banking firm of national standing) of the property that is the
subject of such sale and leaseback transaction and (iii) the transfer of assets
in such sale and leaseback transaction is permitted by, and the Company applies
the proceeds of such transaction in compliance with, the covenant described
above under the caption "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Asset Sales." 

     LIMITATION ON ISSUANCES AND SALES OF CAPITAL STOCK OF WHOLLY OWNED
     SUBSIDIARIES

     The Indenture provides that the Company (i) will not, and will not permit
any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company to, transfer, convey, sell, lease or
otherwise dispose of any Capital Stock of any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the
Company to any Person (other than the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of
the Company), unless (a) such transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other
disposition is of all the Capital Stock of such Wholly Owned Subsidiary and (b)
the cash Net Proceeds from such transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other
disposition are applied in accordance with the covenant described above under
the caption "--Asset Sales," and (ii) will not permit any Wholly Owned
Subsidiary of the Company to issue any of its Equity Interests (other than, if
necessary, shares of its Capital Stock constituting directors' qualifying
shares) to any Person other than to the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of
the Company. 

     GUARANTEES OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS

     The Indenture provides that (a) the Company will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries that is not a Guarantor to incur, guarantee or secure through the
granting of Liens the payment of any Senior Indebtedness and (b) the Company
will not and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to pledge any intercompany
notes representing obligations of any of its Subsidiaries, to secure the payment
of any Senior Indebtedness, in each case unless such Subsidiary, the Company and
the Trustee execute and deliver a supplemental indenture evidencing such
Subsidiary's Guarantee (providing for the unconditional guarantee by such
Subsidiary, on a senior subordinated basis, of the Notes).  


                                          53


     LIMITATION ON LAYERING

     The Indenture provides that (i) the Company will not incur, create, issue,
assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness that is
subordinate or junior in right of payment to any Indebtedness of the Company and
senior in any respect in right of payment to the Notes, and (ii) no Guarantor
will incur, create, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable for any
Indebtedness of such Guarantor that is subordinate or junior in right of payment
to any Indebtedness of such Guarantor and senior in any respect in right of
payment to the Guarantee of such Guarantor. 

     PAYMENTS FOR CONSENT

     The Indenture provides that neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
will, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether
by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any holder of any Notes for or as an
inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions
of the Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid or
is paid to all holders of the Notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the
time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent,
waiver or agreement. 

     REPORTS

     The Indenture provides that, whether or not required by the rules and
regulations of the Commission, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company
will furnish to holders of Notes (i) all quarterly and annual financial
information that would be required to be contained in a filing with the
Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required to file such
Forms, including a "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" and, with respect to the annual information only, a
report thereon by the Company's certified independent accountants and (ii) all
current reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Form
8-K if the Company were required to file such reports.  In addition, whether or
not required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, the Company will
file a copy of all such information and reports with the Commission for public
availability (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing) and make such
information available to securities analysts and prospective investors upon
request.  In addition, the Company and the Guarantors have agreed that, for so
long as any Notes remain outstanding, they will furnish to the holders and to
securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the
information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the
Securities Act. 

     EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

     The Indenture provides that each of the following constitutes an Event of
Default: (i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or
Liquidated Damages with respect to, the Notes (whether or not prohibited by the
subordination provisions of the Indenture); (ii) default in payment when due of
the principal of or premium, if any, on the Notes (whether or not prohibited by
the subordination provisions of the Indenture); (iii) failure by the Company to
comply with the provisions described under the captions "Repurchase at the
Option of Holders--Change of Control," "Repurchase at the Option of
Holders--Asset Sales," "--Restricted Payments" or "--Incurrence of Indebtedness
and Issuance of Preferred Stock"; (iv) failure by the Company for 60 days after
notice to comply with any of its other agreements in the Indenture or the Notes;
(v) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be
issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money
borrowed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is
guaranteed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness
or guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of the Indenture, which
default (a) is caused by a failure to pay principal of or premium, if any, or
interest on such Indebtedness at its final stated maturity or (b) results in the
acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its maturity and, in each case, the
principal amount of which Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of
any other such Indebtedness described in clauses (a) and (b) above, aggregates
$5.0 million or more; (vi) failure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to
pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $5.0 million, which judgments are
not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days; (viii) certain events of
bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
or (ix) the Guarantee of any Guarantor is held in judicial proceedings to be
unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect
(other than in accordance with the terms of the Indenture) or any Guarantor or
any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor denies or disaffirm such
Guarantor's obligations under its Guarantee (other than by reason of a release
of such Guarantor from its Guarantee in accordance with the terms of the
Indenture. 


                                          54


     If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the
holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may
declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately; provided, however, that
if any Senior Indebtedness is outstanding under the Credit Agreement, upon a
declaration of acceleration, the Notes shall be payable upon the earlier of (x)
the day which is five Business Days after the provision to the Company and the
agent under the Credit Agreement of written notice of such declaration and (y)
the date of acceleration of any Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from
certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, with respect to the Company, any
Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken together, would
constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and
payable without further action or notice.  Holders of Notes may not enforce the
Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain
limitations, holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding
Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power.  The Trustee
may withhold from holders of Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of
Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of
principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their
interest. 

     In the case of any Event of Default occurring by reason of any willful
action (or inaction) taken (or not taken) by or on behalf of the Company with
the intention of avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have had
to pay if the Company then had elected to redeem the Notes pursuant to the
optional redemption provisions of the Indenture, an equivalent premium shall
also become and be immediately due and payable to the extent permitted by law
upon the acceleration of the Notes.  If an Event of Default occurs prior to
November 15, 2001, by reason of any willful action (or inaction) taken (or not
taken) by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding the
prohibition on redemption of the Notes prior to November 15, 2001, then the
premium specified in the Indenture shall also become immediately due and payable
to the extent permitted by law upon the acceleration of the Notes. 

     The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the holders of all of the
Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under
the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of
interest on, or the principal of, the Notes. 

     The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement
regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required upon
becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a
statement specifying such Default or Event of Default. 

NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND SHAREHOLDERS

     No director, officer, employee, incorporator or shareholder of the Company
or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the
Company or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Guarantees, the Indenture or for
any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their
creation.  Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such
liability.  The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of
the Notes.  Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the
federal securities laws and it is the view of the Commission that such a waiver
is against public policy. 

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

     The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have all of the
obligations of the Company and the Guarantors discharged with respect to the
outstanding Notes ("Legal Defeasance") except for (i) the rights of holders of
outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium,
if any, and interest and Liquidated Damages on such Notes when such payments are
due from the trust referred to below, (ii) the Company's obligations with
respect to the Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of Notes,
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or
agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust, (iii) the
rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and the Company's
obligations in connection therewith and (iv) the Legal Defeasance provisions of
the Indenture.  In addition, the Company may, at its option and at any time,
elect to have the obligations of the Company released with respect to certain
covenants that are described in the Indenture ("Covenant Defeasance") and
thereafter any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute a
Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes.  In the event Covenant
Defeasance occurs, certain events (not including non-payment, bankruptcy,
receivership, rehabilitation and insolvency events) described under "Events of
Default" will no longer constitute an Event of Default with respect to the
Notes. 


                                          55


     In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, (i)
the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit
of the holders of Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government
Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in
the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants,
to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Liquidated Damages on
the outstanding Notes on the stated maturity or on the applicable redemption
date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are
being deceased to maturity or to a particular redemption date; (ii) in the case
of Legal Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion
of counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming
that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the
Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of the Indenture, there
has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to
the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel shall confirm that,
the holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for
federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be
subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the
same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not
occurred; (iii) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company shall have
delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel in the United States reasonably
acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the holders of the outstanding Notes
will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a
result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on
the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been
the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred; (iv) no Default or Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit
(other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds
to be applied to such deposit) or insofar as Events of Default from bankruptcy
or insolvency events are concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 91st
day after the date of deposit; (v) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance
will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any
material agreement or instrument (other than the Indenture) to which the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is bound; (vi) the Company must have delivered to the Trustee an
opinion of counsel to the effect that after the 91st day following the deposit,
the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally; (vii) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent
of preferring the holders of Notes over the other creditors of the Company or
any Guarantor with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding
creditors, any Guarantor of the Company or others; and (viii) the Company must
deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an opinion of counsel, each
stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the Legal
Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with. 

TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE

     A holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture. 
The Registrar and the Trustee may require a holder, among other things, to
furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may
require a holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the
Indenture.  The Company is not required to transfer or exchange any Note
selected for redemption.  Also, the Company is not required to transfer or
exchange any Note for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be
redeemed. 

     The registered holder of a Note will be treated as the owner of it for all
purposes. 

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

     Except as provided in the next succeeding paragraphs, the Indenture, the
Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the
holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding
(including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase
of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes), and any existing default or
compliance with any provision of the Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may
be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of
the then outstanding Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a
purchase of, or a tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes).  

     Without the consent of each holder affected, an amendment or waiver may not
(with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting holder): (i) reduce the
principal amount of Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement
or waiver, (ii) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note
or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption or repurchase of the
Notes (other than provisions relating to the covenant described above under


                                          56


the caption "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders"), (iii) reduce the rate of
or change the time for payment of interest on any Note, (iv) waive a Default or
Event of Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest
on the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the holders of
at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes and a waiver of
the payment default that resulted from such acceleration), (v) make any Note
payable in money other than that stated in the Notes, (vi) make any change in
the provisions of the Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the
rights of holders of Notes to receive payments of principal of or premium, if
any, or interest on the Notes, (vii) waive a redemption payment with respect to
any Note (other than a payment required by one of the covenants described above
under the caption "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders") (viii) release any
Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Guarantee or the Indenture,
except in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, or (ix) make any change in
the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions.  In addition, any amendment to
the provisions of Article 10 of the Indenture (which relate to subordination) or
the related definitions will require the consent of the holders of at least 75%
in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding if such amendment
would adversely affect the rights of holders of Notes. 

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any holder of Notes,
the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement the
Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes to cure any ambiguity, defect or
inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of
certificated Notes, to provide for the assumption of the Company's or a
Guarantor's obligations to holders of Notes in the case of a merger or
consolidation, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or
benefits to the holders of Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal
rights under the Indenture of any such holder, or to comply with requirements of
the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture
under the Trust Indenture Act. 

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

     The Indenture contains certain limitations on the rights of the Trustee,
should it become a creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of claims in
certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such
claim as security or otherwise.  The Trustee will be permitted to engage in
other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest it must
eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission
to continue or resign. 

     The holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes
will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee, subject to
certain exceptions.  The Indenture provides that in case an Event of Default
shall occur (which shall not be cured), the Trustee will be required, in the
exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct
of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Trustee will be under no
obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the
request of any holder of Notes, unless such holder shall have offered to the
Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or
expense. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     Anyone who receives this Prospectus may obtain a copy of the Indenture and
Registration Rights Agreement without charge by writing to Pillowtex
Corporation, 4111 Mint Way, Dallas, Texas 75237, Attention: Katharine Kenny,
Assistant Vice President--Investor Relations. 

BOOK-ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM

     The New Notes will initially be issued in the form of one Global Note (the
"Global Note").  The Global Note will be deposited on the date of consummation
of the Exchange Offer (the "Closing Date") with, or on behalf of, the DTC (the
"Depositary") and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of the
Depositary (such nominee being referred to herein as the "Global Note Holder").

     Notes that are issued as described below under "--Certificated Securities"
will be issued in the form of registered definitive certificates (the
"Certificated Securities").  Upon the transfer of Certificated Securities, such
Certificated Securities may, unless the Global Note has previously been
exchanged for Certificated Securities, be exchanged for an interest in the
Global Note representing the principal amount of Notes being transferred. 

                                          57


     The Depositary is a limited-purpose trust company that was created to hold
securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the "Participants"
or the "Depositary's Participants") and to facilitate the clearance and
settlement of transactions in such securities between Participants through
electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants.  The Depositary's
Participants include securities brokers and dealers (including the Initial
Purchasers), banks and trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other
organizations.  Access to the Depositary's system is also available to other
entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies (collectively, the
"Indirect Participants" or the "Depositary's Indirect Participants") that clear
through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly
or indirectly.  Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities
held by or on behalf of the Depositary only thorough the Depositary's
Participants or the Depositary's Indirect Participants. 

     The Company expects that pursuant to procedures established by the
Depositary (i) upon deposit of the Global Note, the Depositary will credit the
accounts of Participants exchanging Old Notes for New Notes with portions of the
principal amount of the Global Note and (ii) ownership of the Notes evidenced by
the Global Note will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership thereof will be
effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary (with respect to the
interests of the Depositary's Participants), the Depositary's Participants and
the Depositary's Indirect Participants.  Holders are advised that the laws of
some states require that certain persons take physical delivery in definitive
form of securities that they own.  Consequently, the ability to transfer Notes
evidenced by the Global Note will be limited to such extent.  For certain other
restrictions on the transferability of the Notes, see "Notice to Investors." 

     So long as the Global Note Holder is the registered owner of any Notes, the
Global Note Holder will be considered the sole Holder under the Indenture of any
Notes evidenced by the Global Note.  Beneficial owners of Notes evidenced by the
Global Note will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the
Indenture for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any
directions, instructions or approvals to the Trustee thereunder.  Neither the
Company nor the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect
of the records of the Depositary or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing
any records of the Depositary relating to the Notes. 

     Payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, on any Notes registered in the name of the Global
Note Holder on the applicable record date will be payable by the Trustee to or
at the direction of the Global Note Holder in its capacity as the registered
holder under the Indenture.  Under the terms of the Indenture, the Company and
the Trustee may treat the persons in whose names Notes, including the Global
Note, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such
payments.  Consequently, neither the Company nor the Trustee has or will have
any responsibility or liability for the payment of such amounts to beneficial
owners of Notes. The Company believes, however, that it is currently the policy
of the Depositary to immediately credit the accounts of the relevant
Participants with such payments, in amounts proportionate to their respective
holdings of beneficial interests in the relevant security as shown on the
records of the Depositary.  Payments by the Depositary's Participants and the
Depositary's Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of Notes will be
governed by standing instructions and customary practice and will be the
responsibility of the Depositary's Participants or the Depositary's Indirect
Participants. 

     CERTIFICATED SECURITIES

     Subject to certain conditions, any person having a beneficial interest in
the Global Note may, upon request to the Trustee, exchange such beneficial
interest for Notes in the form of Certificated Securities.  Upon any such
issuance, the Trustee is required to register such Certificated Securities in
the name of, and cause the same to be delivered to, such person or persons (or
the nominee of any thereof). "In addition, if (i) the Company notifies the
Trustee in writing that the Depositary is no longer willing or able to act as a
depositary and the Company is unable to locate a qualified successor within 90
days or (ii) the Company, at its option, notifies the Trustee in writing that it
elects to cause the issuance of Notes in the form of Certificated Securities
under the Indenture, then, upon surrender by the Global Note Holder of its
Global Note, Notes in such form will be issued to each person that the Global
Note Holder and the Depositary identify as being the beneficial owner of the
related Notes. 

     Neither the Company nor the Trustee will be liable for any delay by the
Global Note Holder or the Depositary in identifying the beneficial owners of
Notes and the Company and the Trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be
protected in relying on, instructions from the Global Note Holder or the
Depositary for all purposes. 


                                          58


     SAME-DAY SETTLEMENT AND PAYMENT

     The Indenture requires that payments in respect of the Notes represented by
the Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any) be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the
accounts specified by the Global Note Holder.  With respect to Certificated
Securities, the Company will make all payments of principal, premium, if any,
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the accounts specified by the holders thereof or, if no such
account is specified, by mailing a check to each such holder's registered
address.

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

     Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the Indenture.  Reference
is made to the Indenture for a full disclosure of all such terms, as well as any
other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided. 

     "ACQUIRED INDEBTEDNESS" means, with respect to any specified Person, (i)
Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is
merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person that was not
incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging
with or into or becoming a Subsidiary of such specified Person, and (ii)
Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified
Person. 

     "AFFILIATE" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person.  For purposes of this definition, "control"
(including, with correlative meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled by"
and "under common control with"), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean
the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided that,
beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the voting securities of a Person shall
be deemed to be control. 

     "ASSET SALE" means (i) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of
any assets (including, without limitation, by way of a sale and leaseback) other
than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practices; provided that, the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken
as a whole will be governed by the provisions of the Indenture described above
under the caption "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Change of Control"
and/or the provisions described above under the caption "--Certain
Covenants--Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets" and shall not be deemed to
be "Asset Sales", and (ii) the issue or sale by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries of Equity Interests of any of the Company's Subsidiaries, in the
case of either clause (i) or (ii), whether in a single transaction or a series
of related transactions (a) that have a fair market value in excess of $500,000
or (b) for net proceeds in excess of $500,000.  Notwithstanding the foregoing:
(i) a transfer of assets by the Company to a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or by a
Wholly Owned Subsidiary to the Company or to another Wholly Owned Subsidiary,
(ii) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Wholly Owned Subsidiary to the Company
or to another Wholly Owned Subsidiary, and (iii) a Restricted Payment that is
permitted by the covenant described above under the caption "--Restricted
Payments" will not be deemed to be Asset Sales.  

     "ATTRIBUTABLE INDEBTEDNESS" in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction
means, at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the rate
of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP) of
the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term
of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction (including any
period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the
lessor, be extended).  

     "CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATION" means, at the time any determination thereof is
to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would
at such time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with
GAAP. 

     "CAPITAL STOCK" means (i) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock,
(ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares,
interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of
corporate
                                          59


stock, (iii) in the case of a partnership, partnership interests (whether
general or limited) and (iv) any other interest or participation that confers on
a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or
distributions of assets of, the issuing Person. 

     "CASH EQUIVALENTS" means (i) United States dollars, (ii) securities issued
or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or
any agency or instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than 12
months from the date of acquisition, (iii) U.S. dollar or Canadian dollar
denominated (or foreign currency fully hedged) time deposits, certificates of
deposit, Eurodollar time deposits or Eurodollar certificates of deposit of (a)
any domestic commercial bank of recognized standing having capital and surplus
in excess of $500 million or (b) any bank whose short term commercial paper
rating from Standard & Poor's is at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof or from
Moody's is at least P-1 or the equivalent thereof (any such bank being an
"Approved Lender"), in each case with maturities of not more than 12 months from
the date of acquisition; and (iv) commercial paper issued by any Approved Lender
(or by the parent company thereof) or any variable rate notes issued by, or
guaranteed by, any domestic corporation rated A-2 (or the equivalent thereof) or
better by Standard & Poor's or P-2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by
Moody's and maturing within 12 months of the date of acquisition. 

     "CHANGE OF CONTROL" means the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the
sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of
merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole to any "person" (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange
Act) other than the Principals or their Related Parties, (ii) the adoption of a
plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, (iii) the
consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or
consolidation) the result of which is that any "person" (as defined above),
other than the Principals and their Related Parties, becomes the "beneficial
owner" (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange
Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the
Company or (iv) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of
Directors of the Company are not Continuing Directors. 

     "CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW" means, with respect to any Person for any period,
the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus (i) an amount
equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net loss realized in connection with an
Asset Sale (to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such
Consolidated Net Income), plus (ii) provision for taxes based on income or
profits of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that
such provision for taxes was included in computing such Consolidated Net Income,
plus (iii) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries for
such period, whether paid or accrued and whether or not capitalized (including,
without limitation, amortization of original issue discount, non-cash interest
payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the
interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations,
imputed interest with respect to Attributable Indebtedness, commissions,
discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or
bankers' acceptance financings, and net payments (if any) pursuant to Hedging
Obligations), to the extent that any such expense was deducted in computing such
Consolidated Net Income, plus (iv) depreciation, amortization (including
amortization of goodwill and other intangibles but excluding amortization of
prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash
charges (excluding any such non-cash charge to the extent that it represents an
accrual of or reserve for cash charges in any future period or amortization of a
prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period) of such Person and its
Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization
and other non-cash charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net
Income minus (v) non-cash items of such Person and its Subsidiaries increasing
Consolidated Net Income for such period, in each case, on a consolidated basis
and determined in accordance with GAAP.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
provision for taxes on the income or profits of, and the depreciation and
amortization and other non-cash charges of, a Subsidiary of the referent Person
shall be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute Consolidated Cash Flow only
to the extent (and in same proportion) that the Net Income of such Subsidiary
was included in calculating the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and only
if a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be
dividended to the Company by such Subsidiary without prior governmental approval
(that has not been obtained), and without direct or indirect restriction
pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments,
decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to that
Subsidiary or its shareholders. 

     "CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME" means, with respect to any Person for any period,
the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such
period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP;


                                          60


provided that (i) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a
Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting shall be
included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in
cash to the referent Person or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary thereof shall be
excluded, (ii) the Net Income of any Subsidiary shall be excluded to the extent
that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that
Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted
without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or,
directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any
agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental
regulation applicable to that Subsidiary or its shareholders, shall be excluded
(iii) the Net Income of any Person acquired in a pooling of interests
transaction for any period prior to the date of such acquisition shall be
excluded and (iv) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles
shall be excluded. 

     "CONSOLIDATED NET WORTH" means, with respect to any Person as of any date,
the sum of (i) the consolidated equity of the common shareholders of such Person
and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date plus (ii) the respective
amounts reported on such Person's balance sheet as of such date with respect to
any series of preferred stock (other than Disqualified Stock) that by its terms
is not entitled to the payment of dividends unless such dividends may be
declared and paid only out of net earnings in respect of the year of such
declaration and payment, but only to the extent of any cash received by such
Person upon issuance of such preferred stock, less (x) all write-ups (other than
write-ups resulting from foreign currency translations and write-ups of tangible
assets of a going concern business made within 12 months after the acquisition
of such business) subsequent to the date of the Indenture in the book value of
any asset owned by such Person or a consolidated Subsidiary of such Person, (y)
all investments as of such date in unconsolidated Subsidiaries and in Persons
that are not Subsidiaries (except, in each case, Permitted Investments), and (z)
all unamortized debt discount and expense and unamortized deferred charges as of
such date, all of the foregoing determined in accordance with GAAP. 

     "CONTINUING DIRECTORS" means, as of any date of determination, any member
of the Board of Directors of the Company who (i) was a member of such Board of
Directors on the date of the Indenture or (ii) was nominated for election or
elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the
Continuing Directors who were members of such Board at the time of such
nomination or election. 

     "CREDIT AGREEMENT" means that certain Restated Credit Agreement, dated as
of November 12, 1996, by and among the Company and NationsBank of Texas, N.A.,
as agent, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents,
instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as
amended, modified, renewed, refunded, extended, replaced or refinanced from time
to time. 

     "DEFAULT" means any event that is or with the passage of time or the giving
of notice or both would be an Event of Default. 

     "DESIGNATED SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS" means (i) so long as Senior Indebtedness
is outstanding under the Credit Agreement, all Senior Indebtedness outstanding
under the Credit Agreement and (ii) thereafter, any other Senior Indebtedness
permitted under the Indenture the principal amount of which is $25.0 million or
more and that has been designated by the Company as "Designated Senior
Indebtedness." 

     "DISQUALIFIED STOCK" means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the
terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is
exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily
redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at
the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date
that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature. 

     "ELIGIBLE INVENTORY" means, as of any date, all inventory of the Company
and any of its Subsidiaries, wherever located, valued in accordance with GAAP
and shown on the balance sheet of the Company for the quarterly period most
recently ended prior to such date for which financial statements of the Company
are available. 

     "ELIGIBLE RECEIVABLES" means, as of any date, all accounts receivable of
the Company and any of its Subsidiaries arising out of the sale of inventory in
the ordinary course of business, valued in accordance with GAAP and shown on the
balance sheet of the Company for the quarterly period most recently ended prior
to such date for which financial statements of the Company are available. 


                                          61


     "EQUITY INTERESTS" means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other
rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is
convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).  

     "EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS" means Indebtedness of the Company and its
Subsidiaries in existence on the date of the Indenture. 

     "FIXED CHARGES" means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum
of (i) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries for
such period, whether paid or accrued (including, without limitation,
amortization of original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the
interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component
of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with
respect to Attributable Indebtedness, commissions, discounts and other fees and
charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers' acceptance
financings, and net payments (if any) pursuant to Hedging Obligations) and (ii)
the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries that was
capitalized during such period, and (iii) any interest expense on Indebtedness
of another Person that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its Subsidiaries
or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Subsidiaries
(whether or not such guarantee or Lien is called upon) and (iv) the product of
(a) all cash dividend payments (and non-cash dividend payments in the case of a
Person that is a Subsidiary) on any series of preferred stock of such Person,
times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which
is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax
rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal, in each case, on a consolidated
basis and in accordance with GAAP. 

     "FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO" means with respect to any Person for any
period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period
to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period.  In the event that the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, guarantees or redeems any
Indebtedness (other than revolving credit borrowings) or issues preferred stock
subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio is being calculated but prior to the date on which the event for which the
calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the "Calculation Date"),
then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect
to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee or redemption of Indebtedness, or such
issuance or redemption of preferred stock, as if the same had occurred at the
beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period.  In addition, for
purposes of making the computation referred to above, (i) acquisitions that have
been made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including through mergers
or consolidations and including any related financing transactions, during the
four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or
prior to the Calculation Date shall be deemed to have occurred on the first day
of the four-quarter reference period and Consolidated Cash Flow for such
reference period shall be calculated without giving effect to clause (iii) of
the proviso set forth in the definition of Consolidated Net Income, and (ii) the
Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in
accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the
Calculation Date, shall be excluded, and (iii) the Fixed Charges attributable to
discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations
or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, shall be excluded, but
only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will
not be obligations of the referent Person or any of its Subsidiaries following
the Calculation Date. 

     "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such
other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession which are in effect on the date of the Indenture. 

     "GUARANTEE" means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable
instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or
indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, letters of credit and
reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any
Indebtedness. 

     "GUARANTOR SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS" means, with respect to any Guarantor, (i)
the guarantee of such Guarantor of the Company's Obligations under the Credit
Agreement and (ii) any other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by such
Guarantor under the terms of the Indenture, unless the instrument under which
such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is on a parity with or
subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of such Guarantor.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness will not include (u) any Indebtedness of such Guarantor
representing a guarantee of Indebtedness of the Company or any other Guarantor
which


                                          62


is subordinate or junior to, or pari passu with, the Notes or the Guarantee of
such other Guarantor, as the case may be, (v) any Indebtedness that is expressly
subordinate or junior in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of such
Guarantor, (w) any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or
owing by such Guarantor, (x) any Indebtedness of such Guarantor to any of its
Subsidiaries or other Affiliates, (y) any trade payables or (z) that portion of
any Indebtedness that is incurred in violation of the Indenture. 

     "HEDGING OBLIGATIONS" means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of
such Person under (i) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap
agreements and interest rate collar agreements and (ii) other agreements or
arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest
rates, the value of foreign currencies and the value of commodities purchased by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business. 

     "INDEBTEDNESS" means, with respect to any Person, any indebtedness of such
Person, whether or not contingent, in respect of borrowed money or evidenced by
bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or
reimbursement agreements in respect thereof) or banker's acceptances or
representing Capital Lease Obligations or the balance deferred and unpaid of the
purchase price of any property or representing any Hedging Obligations, except
any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable, if and to
the extent any of the foregoing indebtedness (other than letters of credit and
Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such
Person prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as all indebtedness of others
secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person (whether or not such indebtedness
is assumed by such Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the
guarantee by such Person of any indebtedness of any other Person. 

     "INDEPENDENT" means, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, any
person who (i) is in fact independent, (ii) does not have any direct financial
interest or any material indirect financial interest in the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries, or in any Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(other than as a result of holding securities of the Company) and (iii) is not
an officer, employee, promoter, underwriter, trustee, partner or person
performing similar functions for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. 

     "INVESTMENTS" means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such
Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of direct or
indirect loans (including guarantees of Indebtedness or other obligations),
advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar
advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business),
purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity
Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be
classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP;
provided that an acquisition of assets, Equity Interests or other securities by
the Company for consideration consisting of common equity securities of the
Company shall not be deemed to be an Investment. 

     "LIEN" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge,
charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset,
whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law
(including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in
the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security
interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under
the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction).  

     "NET INCOME" means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of
such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in
respect of preferred stock dividends, excluding, however, (i) any gain (but not
loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such gain (but not
loss), realized in connection with (a) any Asset Sale (including, without
limitation, dispositions pursuant to sale and leaseback transactions) or (b) the
disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries or the
extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries and
(ii) any extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (but not loss), together with any
related provision for taxes on such extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (but not
loss).  

     "NET PROCEEDS" means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without
limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash
consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of the direct costs relating to
such Asset Sale (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment
banking fees, and sales commissions), any relocation expenses incurred as a
result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking into
account any available tax credits or deductions and any


                                          63


tax sharing arrangements), and any reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale
price of such asset or assets established in accordance with GAAP. 

     "OBLIGATIONS" means any principal, interest, penalties, fees,
indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under
the documentation governing any Indebtedness. 

     "PERMITTED INVESTMENTS" means (a) any Investment in the Company or in a
Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company; (b) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;
(c) any Investment by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in a Person,
if as a result of such Investment (i) such Person becomes a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary of the Company or (ii) such Person is merged, consolidated or
amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its
assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of
the Company, and (d) any Restricted Investment made as a result of the receipt
of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in
compliance with the covenant described above under the caption "--Repurchase at
the Option of Holders--Asset Sales." 

     "PERMITTED LIENS" means (i) Liens on assets of the Company securing Senior
Indebtedness, Liens on assets of a Guarantor securing Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness of such Guarantor and Liens of a Subsidiary of the Company that is
not a Guarantor, which secure unsubordinated Indebtedness of such Subsidiary if
the Notes are secured by such assets on a subordinated basis to the Lien
securing such unsubordinated Indebtedness; provided that such Senior
Indebtedness, Guarantor Senior Indebtedness or Unsubordinated Indebtedness, as
the case may be was permitted by the terms of the Indenture to be incurred; (ii)
Liens in favor of the Company; (iii) Liens on property of a Person existing at
the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to
the contemplation of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any
assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the
Company; (iv) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition thereof by
the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, provided that such Liens were in
existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition; (v) Liens to secure
the performance of statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance
bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of
business; and (vi) Liens existing on the date of the Indenture. 

     "PERMITTED REFINANCING INDEBTEDNESS" means any Indebtedness of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which
are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund other
Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that: (i) the
principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted
Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted
value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed,
replaced, defeased or refunded (plus the amount of reasonable expenses incurred
in connection therewith); (ii) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a
final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted
Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to
Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced,
defeased or refunded; (iii) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced,
renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to
the Notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date
later than the final maturity date of, and is subordinated in right of payment
to, the Notes on terms at least as favorable to the holders of Notes as those
contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended,
refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and (iv) such Indebtedness
is incurred either by the Company or by the Subsidiary who is the obligor on the
Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or
refunded. 

     "PRINCIPALS" means Charles M. Hansen, Jr., his spouse and any of his lineal
descendants. 

     "RELATED PARTY" means any controlled Affiliate of any Principal. 

     "RESTRICTED INVESTMENT" means an Investment other than a Permitted
Investment. 

     "SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS" means (i) Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement
(including interest in respect thereof accruing after the commencement of any
bankruptcy or similar proceeding to the extent that such interest is allowable
as a bankruptcy claim in such proceeding) and (ii) any other Indebtedness
permitted to be incurred by the Company under the terms of the Indenture, unless
the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that
it is on a parity with or subordinated in right of payment to the Notes. 
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Senior Indebtedness
will not include (v) any Indebtedness that is expressly subordinate or junior in
right of


                                          64


payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company, (w) any liability for federal,
state, local or other taxes owed or owing by the Company (x) any Indebtedness of
the Company to any of its Subsidiaries or other Affiliates, (y) any trade
payables or (z) that portion of Indebtedness that is incurred in violation of
the Indenture. 

     "SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARY" means any Subsidiary that would be a "significant
subsidiary" as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated
pursuant to the Act, as such Regulation was in effect on the date of the
Indenture. 

     "STATED MATURITY" means, with respect to any payment of interest on or
principal of any Indebtedness, the date on which such payment was scheduled to
be made in the documentation governing such Indebtedness, without regard to the
occurrence of any subsequent event or contingency. 

     "SUBSIDIARY" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation,
association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting
power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of
any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees
thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such
Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination
thereof) and (ii) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing
general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b)
the only general partners of which are such Person or of one or more
Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).  

     "VOTING STOCK" means, with respect to any Person as of any date, the
Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the
election of the Board of Directors of such Person. 

     "WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIFE TO MATURITY" means, when applied to any Indebtedness
at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the
products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining
installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of
principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (b) the
number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between
such date and the making of such payment, by (ii) the then outstanding principal
amount of such Indebtedness. 

     "WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY" of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person
all of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which
(other than directors' qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such
Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person and one or
more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

                           DESCRIPTION OF CREDIT AGREEMENT

     Concurrently with the Prior Offering, the Company amended and restated the
Revolver under its Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement provides for
borrowings in an aggregate principal amount of up to $175.0 million. 
Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement is guaranteed by each domestic
Subsidiary of the Company and secured by the Company's accounts receivable and
inventory and by (i) 100% of the capital stock of the Company's domestic
Subsidiaries and (ii) 65% of the capital stock of the Company's foreign
Subsidiaries.  Loans made pursuant to the Credit Agreement may be borrowed,
repaid and reborrowed from time to time until the fifth anniversary of the
establishment of the Credit Agreement, subject to satisfaction of certain
conditions on the date of any such borrowing. 

     Amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate
based, at the Company's option, upon (i) either NationsBank's base rate or LIBOR
(the London Interbank Offered Rate) plus 0.875% or (ii) NationsBank's
reserve-adjusted CD rate plus 1.000%.  These rates are subject to decrease based
upon the Company's achievement of (i) certain senior unsecured debt ratings or
(ii) certain ratios of funded debt to EBITDA.  On a pro forma basis as of
September 28, 1996, the interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the Credit
Agreement would have been 6.305%. 

     The Credit Agreement contains a number of financial, affirmative and
negative covenants that regulate the Company's operations.  Financial covenants
require maintenance of ratios of certain current assets to certain current
liabilities, funded debt to EBITDA, and minimum interest coverage, and require
the Company to maintain a minimum net worth.  Negative covenants restrict, among
other things, the incurrence of debt, the existence of liens, transactions with
affiliates, loans, advances and investments by the Company, payment of dividends
and other distributions to


                                          65


shareholders, dispositions of assets, mergers, consolidations and dissolutions,
contingent liabilities, changes in business and acquisitions. 

                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account pursuant to
the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such New Notes.  This Prospectus, as it may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in
connection with resales of New Notes received in exchange for old Notes where
such Old Notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities.  The Company has agreed that, starting on the Expiration
Date and ending on the close of business one year after the Expiration Date, it
will make this Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any
broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale.  In addition, until 
____________, 1997, all dealers effecting transactions in the New Notes may be
required to deliver a prospectus.

     The Company will not receive any proceeds from any sales of New Notes by
broker-dealers.  New Notes received by broker-dealers for their own account
pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time in one or more
transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through
the writing of options on the New Notes or a combination of such methods of
resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to
such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices.  Any such resale may be made
directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive
compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such
broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such New Notes.  Any broker-dealer
that resells New Notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to
the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution
of such New Notes may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act and any profit of any such resale of New Notes and any
commissions or concessions received by such persons may be deemed to be
underwriting compensation under the Securities Act.  The Letter of Transmittal
states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a
prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.

     For a period of one year after the Expiration Date, the Company will
promptly send additional copies of this Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement to this Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents
in the Letter of Transmittal.  The Company has agreed to pay all expenses
incident to the Exchange Offer (including the expenses of one counsel for the
holders of the Notes) other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or
dealers and will indemnify the holders of the Notes (including any
broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.


                                    LEGAL MATTERS

     The legality of the New Notes will be passed upon for the Company by
Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation, Dallas, Texas. 


                                       EXPERTS

     The consolidated financial statements and schedule of the Company as of 
December 31,1994 and December 30, 1995, and for each of the years in the 
three-year period ended December 30, 1995, have been included herein and in 
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in reliance upon the reports of 
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants, appearing 
elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in 
accounting and auditing.


                                          66


                        PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                                                            PAGE
Independent Auditors' Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      F-2
Consolidated Financial Statements:
   Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1994,
       December 30, 1995 and September 28, 1996 (unaudited). . . . . .      F-3
   Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended
       December 31, 1993 and 1994, December 30, 1995 and the nine
       months ended September 30, 1995 and September 28, 1996
       (unaudited) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      F-4
   Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended
       December 31, 1993 and 1994 and December 30, 1995 and the nine 
       months ended September 28, 1996 (unaudited). . . . . . . . . . .     F-5
   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
       December 31, 1993 and 1994, December 30, 1995 and the nine months
       ended September 30, 1995 and September 28, 1996
       (unaudited) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      F-6
   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. . . . . . . . . . . . .      F-7




                                         F-1




                             INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT





The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Pillowtex Corporation:

   We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Pillowtex 
Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and December 30, 1995 
and the related consolidated statements of earnings, shareholders' equity, 
and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended 
December 30, 1995.  These consolidated financial statements are the 
responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to 
express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our 
audits. 

   We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. 
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

   In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Pillowtex
Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and December 30, 1995, and
the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in
the three-year period ended December 30, 1995, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.





                                   KPMG Peat Marwick LLP





Dallas, Texas
February 6, 1996



                                         F-2



                    PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA) 




                                                                           DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 30,    SEPTEMBER 28,
                                                                               1994           1995           1996
                                                                           ------------  -------------  --------------
                                                                                                           (UNAUDITED)

                                                        ASSETS
                                                                                                    
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $    571            411             15
  Receivables:
   Trade, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,933 in
       1994, $2,195 in 1995 and $2,055 in 1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . .       72,381         71,684         93,048
   Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        1,202          2,284          5,309
  Inventories (note 4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      107,516        107,404        135,487
  Deferred income taxes (note 9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        2,184          2,419          2,831
  Prepaid expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        1,154          1,644          2,134
                                                                             ---------    -----------     ----------
       Total current assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      185,008        185,846        238,824

Property, plant and equipment, net (notes 5 and 8) . . . . . . . . . . .       81,187         84,567         79,006
Intangible assets, at cost less accumulated amortization of 
  $1,129 in 1994, $2,500 in 1995 and $3,478 in 1996. . . . . . . . . . .       50,645         51,779         50,338
Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        2,704          2,518          2,502
                                                                             ---------    -----------     ----------
                                                                             $319,544        324,710        370,670
                                                                             ---------    -----------     ----------
                                                                             ---------    -----------     ----------

                                         LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable (note 6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      $37,917         42,090         50,476
  Accrued expenses (note 6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       16,768         21,137         21,067
  Current portion of long-term debt (note 8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        6,907         11,916         11,476
  Income taxes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          678            575          3,018
                                                                             ---------    -----------     ----------
       Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       62,270         75,718         86,037
Long-term debt, net of current portion (note 8). . . . . . . . . . . . .      177,149        153,472        180,200
Deferred income taxes (note 9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        3,647          7,530          9,391
Shareholders' equity (notes 8, 10 and 11):
  Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 20,000,000 shares;
   none issued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          -              -              -  
  Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 30,000,000 shares;
   10,617,722 shares issued and outstanding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          106            106            106
  Additional paid-in capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       58,396         58,427         58,427
  Retained earnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       18,728         29,666         36,628
  Currency translation adjustment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (752)          (209)          (119)
                                                                             ---------    -----------     ----------
       Total shareholders' equity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       76,478         87,990         95,042
Commitments and contingencies (note 13)                                      ---------    -----------     ----------
                                                                             $319,544        324,710        370,670
                                                                             ---------    -----------     ----------
                                                                             ---------    -----------     ----------



            See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 


                                         F-3


                    PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 
                          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA) 



                                                                               YEARS ENDED                    NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                       --------------------------------- ---------------------------
                                                                          DECEMBER 31,      DECEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 28,
                                                                       -------------------
                                                                         1993      1994         1995         1995          1996
                                                                       --------- ---------  ------------  ------------ -------------
                                                                                                                (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                           
Net sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $291,624  $349,520     $474,899     $332,352    $ 335,770
Cost of goods sold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      238,155   294,714      395,922      275,407      280,272
                                                                       --------- ---------    ---------    ---------   ---------
  Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       53,469    54,806       78,977       56,945       55,498
Selling, general and administrative
  expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       29,227    36,399       42,508       32,315       31,170
                                                                       --------- ---------    ---------    --------    ---------
  Earnings from operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       24,242    18,407       36,469       24,630       24,328

Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        3,042     6,361       17,491       12,964       10,279
Other income, net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          -        (379)         -           -             -   
                                                                       --------- ---------    ---------    ---------   ---------
                                                                          3,042     5,982       17,491       12,964       10,279
                                                                       --------- ---------    ---------    ---------   ---------
   Earnings before income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       21,200    12,425       18,978       11,666       14,049
Income taxes (note 9). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        8,420     4,736        7,509        4,678        5,495
                                                                       --------- ---------    ---------    ---------   ---------
   Net earnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      $12,780  $  7,689      $11,469     $  6,988     $  8,554
                                                                       --------- ---------    ---------    ---------   ---------
                                                                       --------- ---------    ---------    ---------   ---------
Earnings per common share. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                    .73         1.08          .66         .81
                                                                                 ---------    ---------    ---------   ---------
                                                                                 ---------    ---------    ---------   ---------
Pro forma income data (unaudited):
  Net earnings as reported . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       12,780
  Pro forma adjustment to provision for
   income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          (97)
                                                                       ---------
  Pro forma earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      $12,877
                                                                       ---------
                                                                       ---------
  Pro forma earnings available to common
   stock shareholders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      $12,877
                                                                       ---------
                                                                       ---------
  Pro forma earnings per common
   share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      $  1.32
                                                                       ---------
                                                                       ---------



            See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 


                                         F-4



                    PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

       YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993 AND 1994 AND DECEMBER 30, 1995, AND
                NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)



                                                             COMMON STOCK
                                                       ----------------------
                                                                                ADDITIONAL                 CURRENCY       TOTAL
                                                        NUMBER OF      PAR        PAID-IN      RETAINED   TRANSLATION SHAREHOLDERS'
                                                        SHARES         VALUE      CAPITAL      EARNINGS    ADJUSTMENT     EQUITY
                                                       ----------     ------    ----------     ---------  ------------ ------------
                                                                                                       
Balances at December 31, 1992. . . . . . . . . .       6,505,224     $  65        1,007          6,000        --          7,072
Issuance of common stock (note 10) . . . . . . .       4,085,000        41       52,063           --          --         52,104
Reclassification of S corporation's
   retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            --        --          4,974         (4,974)       --           --  
Repurchase of common stock . . . . . . . . . . .            --        --           --              (17)       --            (17)
Dividends declared (note 12) . . . . . . . . . .            --        --           --           (2,610)       --         (2,610)
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            --        --           --           12,780        --         12,780
                                                      -----------   -------   ----------   ------------   ---------   ----------
Balances at December 31, 1993. . . . . . . . . .      10,590,224       106       58,044         11,179        --         69,329
Exercise of stock options. . . . . . . . . . . .          27,498      --            352           --          --            352
Dividends declared (note 12) . . . . . . . . . .            --        --           --             (140)       --           (140)
Currency translation changes . . . . . . . . . .            --        --           --             --          (752)        (752)
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            --        --           --            7,689        --          7,689
                                                      -----------   -------   ----------   ------------   ---------   ----------
Balances at December 31, 1994. . . . . . . . . .      10,617,722       106       58,396         18,728        (752)      76,478
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            --        --             31           --          --             31
Dividends declared ($.05 per share). . . . . . .            --        --           --             (531)       --           (531)
Currency translation changes . . . . . . . . . .            --        --           --             --           543          543
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            --        --           --           11,469        --         11,469
                                                      -----------   -------   ----------   ------------   ---------   ----------
Balances at December 30, 1995. . . . . . . . . .      10,617,722       106       58,427         29,666        (209)      87,990
Currency translation changes . . . . . . . . . .            --        --           --             --            90           90
Dividends declared ($.15 per share). . . . . . .            --        --           --           (1,592)       --         (1,592)
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            --        --           --            8,554        --          8,554
                                                      -----------   -------   ----------   ------------   ---------   ----------
Balances at September 28, 1996
   (unaudited) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      10,617,722      $106       58,427         36,628        (119)      95,042
                                                      -----------   -------   ----------   ------------   ---------   ----------
                                                      -----------   -------   ----------   ------------   ---------   ----------


             See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                         F-5


                    PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                           (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)



                                                                               YEARS ENDED                    NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                       --------------------------------- ---------------------------
                                                                          DECEMBER 31,      DECEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 28,
                                                                       -------------------
                                                                         1993      1994         1995         1995          1996
                                                                       --------- ---------  ------------  ------------ -------------
                                                                                                                (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                            
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       $12,780     7,689      11,469        6,988          8,554
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net
    cash provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         3,868     6,365      11,994        8,767          9,440
    Deferred income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           776      (174)      3,635        1,484          1,447
    Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment . .           143       (39)         74           15              5
    Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of
       businesses acquired:
       Trade receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (1,055)   11,362         714      (20,540)       (21,382)
       Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           874   (13,526)       (172)     (28,390)       (28,075)
       Accounts payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         3,138     4,585      (3,698)       2,011          2,666
       Other assets and liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (1,832)     (198)      1,869        2,879         (1,088)
                                                                       --------- ----------  ----------   ----------    -----------

         Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities . .        18,692    16,064      25,885      (26,786)       (28,433)
                                                                       --------- ----------  ----------   ----------    -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment. . . . . .           416       156         119           48             17
  Purchases of property, plant and equipment . . . . . . . . . .        (7,135)  (10,538)    (12,448)      (8,630)        (2,981)
  Purchase of other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (1,000)     (951)         --           --             --
  Proceeds on payment of note by shareholder . . . . . . . . . .         2,250        --          --           --             --
  Payments for businesses purchased, net of cash
    acquired of $216 in 1993 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (23,563) (116,253)         --       (1,454)          (112)
  Decrease in restricted investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         2,421        --          --           --             --
  Other  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            --       (42)     (2,235)          --             --
                                                                       --------- ----------  ----------   ----------    -----------
       Net cash used in investing activities . . . . . . . . . .       (26,611) (127,628)    (14,564)     (10,036)        (3,076)
                                                                       --------- ----------  ----------   ----------    -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Increase in checks not yet presented for payment . . . . . . .            --       853       8,155        8,763          6,068
  Net borrowings (repayments) on revolving credit loans. . . . .       (13,990)   53,840     (14,350)      29,150         45,200
  Proceeds from long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        30,000    64,750         645          645             --
  Principal payments on long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (28,873)   (6,884)     (5,056)      (1,514)       (18,566)
  Debt issuance costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            --    (3,107)       (350)        (319)            --
  Proceeds from sale of common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        52,104       352          --           --
  Repurchases of common stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (27,517)       --          --           --
  Dividends paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (2,506)     (244)       (531)          --         (1,592)
                                                                       --------- ----------  ----------   ----------    -----------

       Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities . . .         9,218   109,560     (11,487)      36,725         31,110
                                                                       --------- ----------  ----------   ----------    -----------

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents. . . . . .            --       (11)          6           20              3
                                                                       --------- ----------  ----------   ----------    -----------
Net change in cash and cash equivalents. . . . . . . . . . . . .         1,299    (2,015)       (160)         (77)          (396)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year . . . . . . . . .         1,287     2,586         571          571            411
                                                                       --------- ----------  ----------   ----------    -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . .        $2,586       571         411          494             15
                                                                       --------- ----------  ----------   ----------    -----------
                                                                       --------- ----------  ----------   ----------    -----------


            See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 


                                         F-6



                       PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 
                     NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
             (TABLES IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA) 


(1) GENERAL

    Pillowtex Corporation and Subsidiaries ("the Company") operates primarily
in one industry segment which includes the design, manufacture and marketing of
bed pillows, mattress pads, down comforters, blankets, throws and other bedroom
textile furnishings.  Virtually all of the Company's assets are located in North
America.  The Company supplies its products primarily to customers in the retail
sector, including department stores, mass merchants, wholesale clubs, specialty
retail stores, catalogs and institutional suppliers. 

    The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated
financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during
the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. 

(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

(a) PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

    The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of
Pillowtex Corporation and its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.  All significant
intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. 

(b) CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR

    The Company has changed its fiscal year-end from December 31 for 1993 and
1994 to the Saturday closest to December 31 for 1995.  The effect of the change
was not material to the Company's consolidated financial statements for 1995. 
The fiscal year-ends for the consolidated financial statements presented are
December 31, 1993 and 1994 and December 30, 1995. 

(c) STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

    For purposes of reporting cash flows, the Company considers all short-term
investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash
equivalents.

    Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information follow:


                                                   1993        1994     1995
                                                   ----        ----     ----
         Interest paid . . . . . . . . . . . .     $2,880    $5,134   $15,632
                                                  --------  --------  --------
                                                  --------  --------  --------
         Income taxes paid . . . . . . . . . .     $7,563    $5,451    $3,793
                                                  --------  --------  --------
                                                  --------  --------  --------

(d)  INVENTORIES

     Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market.  Cost is determined
using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.

(e)  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

     Depreciation is provided generally using the straight-line method in
amounts sufficient to amortize the cost of the assets over their estimated
useful lives as follows: 


                                         F-7



                        PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
             (TABLES IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)

(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  (CONTINUED)

                                                        ESTIMATED USEFUL LIFE
                                                        ---------------------
          Buildings and improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32 years
          Machinery and equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5-12 years

Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the estimated useful
lives of the assets or the remaining term of the lease using the straight-line
method.  All interest cost incurred has been expensed in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements.  Renewals and betterments are capitalized and
depreciated over the remaining life of the specific property unit.

(f)  INTANGIBLES

     Intangible assets consist primarily of goodwill ($46,750,000 and
$48,079,000 as of December 31, 1994 and December 30, 1995, respectively)
recorded in connection with the Company's acquisitions (see note 3).  Additions
to goodwill during 1995 were primarily related to the finalization of purchase
price allocations for previous acquisitions.  Amortization is provided using the
straight-line method, the majority of which is over the estimated useful life of
40 years.

     Other intangibles principally consists of deferred loan costs, trademarks
and noncompete agreements amortized over periods ranging from 2 to 20 years. 

     The Company assesses the recoverability of goodwill by determining whether
the amortization of the asset balance over its remaining life can be recovered
through undiscounted future operating cash flows of the acquired operation.  The
amount of impairment, if any, is measured based on projected discounted future
operating cash flows. 

(g)  INCOME TAXES

     Effective March 1, 1987, the Company elected to be taxed under Subchapter S
of the Internal Revenue Code. Pursuant to such election, federal and certain
state income taxes were the responsibility of the Company's shareholders. On
March 24, 1993, upon the consummation of the initial public offering of the
Company's common stock, the S corporation election was terminated when the
Company's shareholders exceeded the maximum number allowed for an S corporation.

     Deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax consequences
attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of
existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.  Deferred tax
assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to
taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to
be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates
is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. 

     Effective January 1, 1993, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("Statement 109"). 
As of January 1, 1993, the Company was an S corporation and all federal and
certain state tax liabilities were at the shareholder level.  Accordingly, the
cumulative effect of adopting Statement 109 was immaterial.  As a result of the
change in tax status from S corporation to C corporation, a net deferred federal
income tax liability of $972,000, computed in accordance with Statement 109, was
reinstated and reflected as a charge to income tax expense in 1993 (see note 9).



(h)  REVENUE RECOGNITION


                                         F-8



                  PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 
          SHARES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
        (TABLES IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)   

     Revenue is recognized upon shipment of products.  Reserves for sales
returns and allowances are recorded in the same accounting period as the related
revenues. 

(i)  ADVERTISING EXPENSES

     The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred.  Advertising expense
was approximately $575,000, $3,899,000 and $3,004,000 during the years ended
December 31, 1993 and 1994 and December 30, 1995, respectively. 

(j)  EARNINGS PER SHARE

     Earnings per share for 1994 and 1995 are based on 10,603,660 and 10,617,722
weighted average shares of common stock outstanding, respectively.  Pro forma
net earnings per share for 1993 is based on 9,750,840 weighted average shares of
common stock outstanding, and does not include the 12,343,296 shares of common
stock subject to repurchase discussed in note 10.  Common share equivalents in
the form of stock options are excluded from the earnings per share calculations
since they have no material dilutive effect. 

(k)  INTERIM FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

     The accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of September 28, 1996 and
the related consolidated statements of earnings, shareholders' equity and cash
flows for the nine months ended September 28, 1996 and the consolidated
statements of earnings and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30,
1995 have been prepared by the Company without audit.  In the opinion of
management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments,
considered necessary for a fair presentation for such periods have been made. 
Results for interim periods should not be considered as indicative of results
for a full year. 

     Footnote disclosures normally included in annual consolidated financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
have been omitted herein with respect to the interim consolidated financial
data.  The interim information herein should be read in conjunction with the
annual consolidated financial statements and notes presented herein. 

(l)  RECLASSIFICATIONS

     Certain amounts in the prior year's consolidated financial statements have
been reclassified to conform with the current year's presentation. 

(m)  FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION AND TRANSACTIONS

     The Company's foreign Subsidiaries use the local currency as the functional
currency.  The assets and liabilities of the Company's foreign Subsidiaries are
translated into U.S. dollars using current exchange rates and revenues and
expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates.  The resulting
translation adjustments are recorded in a separate component of shareholders'
equity.  Other foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in net
income and were not material in any of the years presented. 


                                         F-9



                  PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 
          SHARES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
        (TABLES IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)   

(3) ACQUISITIONS

     On August 30, 1993, the Company completed its acquisition of substantially
all of the assets and assumption of certain liabilities of Manetta Mills, Inc.
("Manetta"), a blanket manufacturer, for approximately $7,700,000 through a
newly formed and wholly owned subsidiary, Manetta Home Fashions, Inc.  The funds
for the acquisitions were provided by the Company's revolving credit facility. 

     Effective September 7, 1993, the Company acquired all of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of Tennessee Woolen Mills, Inc. ("TWM"), a blanket
manufacturer, for approximately $13,200,000.  The funds for the acquisition were
provided by the Company's revolving credit facility as well as a $1,500,000 note
payable bearing interest at a prime rate (as defined) issued to the sellers of
TWM. 

     Effective December 1, 1993, the Company acquired all of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of Torfeaco Industries, Ltd. ("Torfeaco"), a Canadian
manufacturer of fashion and synthetic bedding products, through a newly formed
and wholly owned Canadian subsidiary for approximately $4,500,000.  The funds
for the acquisition were provided by the Company's revolving credit facility. 
Additionally, a $403,500 note payable bearing interest at 6% per annum and a
$346,500 noninterest bearing note payable were issued to the sellers of
Torfeaco. 

     On August 19, 1994, the Company, through its subsidiary Torfeaco, purchased
certain business assets including receivables, inventory and fixed assets of
Imperial Feather Company of Canada ("Imperial") for approximately $3,600,000. 
Imperial was a family-owned and long-established producer of high quality
bedding products, including natural fill and synthetic bed pillows, down
comforters and comforter covers.  The funds for the acquisition were provided by
the Company's revolving credit facility. 

     On December 1, 1994, the Company, through its newly formed and wholly-owned
Subsidiaries Be-Ac, Inc. and Realmac, Inc., purchased substantially, all of the
net assets of Beacon Manufacturing Company ("Beacon") for a purchase price of
$100,823,000 in cash, plus the assumption of approximately $11,028,000 in
liabilities which were repaid at the time of acquisition.  Beacon is a 91-year
old manufacturer of cotton and synthetic blankets and throws, jacquard throws
and woven corded bedspreads headquartered in Swannanoa, North Carolina.  The
funds for this acquisition were provided primarily from borrowings under a
$240,000,000 Credit Facility with NationsBank of Texas, N.A. ("NationsBank"), as
agent, which was modified in conjunction with the acquisition. 

     These acquisitions have been accounted for as purchases and, accordingly,
results of operations of the acquired companies have been included in the
consolidated statements of earnings since the acquisition dates. 

     A summary of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed follows:

                                                              1993      1994
                                                              ----      ----
          Current assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $26,609   $60,746
          Property, plant and equipment . . . . . . . .       7,683    36,566
          Intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      13,229    32,372
          Other assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         214        28
          Current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . .      (8,504)  (13,459)
          Long-term debt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     (13,444)     --  
          Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . .        (387)     --  
                                                           --------- ---------
                                                            $25,400  $116,253
                                                           --------- ---------
                                                           --------- ---------


                                         F-10



                        PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
             (TABLES IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)

(3) ACQUISITIONS (CONTINUED)

     Unaudited consolidated condensed pro forma results of operations for the
years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994, as if the acquisitions of TWM and Beacon
occurred on January 1, 1993 follow: 

                                                          PRO FORMA YEARS ENDED
                                                                DECEMBER 31
                                                          ---------------------
                                                              1993       1994
                                                              ----       ----
          Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $417,939  $470,970
          Net earnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      13,602     8,238
          Pro forma earnings per common share . . . . .        1.39       .78

     The pro forma results of operations are presented pursuant to applicable
accounting rules relating to business combinations and are not necessarily
indicative of the actual results that would have been achieved had these
transactions occurred as of January 1, 1993, nor are they indicative of future
results of operations.  The Manetta, Torfeaco and Imperial acquisitions were not
significant and, accordingly, pro forma results of operations are not presented.

(4) INVENTORIES

     Inventories consist of the following at December 31, 1994 and December 30,
1995:

                                                              1994      1995
                                                              ----      ----
          Finished goods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $26,762   $37,670
          Work-in-process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      39,409    35,980
          Raw materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      39,385    31,851
          Supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       1,960     1,903
                                                          ---------- ---------
                                                           $107,516  $107,404
                                                          ---------- ---------
                                                          ---------- ---------


(5) PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

     Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and consist of the
following at December 31, 1994 and December 30, 1995: 

                                                              1994      1995
                                                              ----      ----
          Land. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      $1,233    $1,504
          Buildings and improvements. . . . . . . . . .      34,668    35,676
          Machinery and equipment . . . . . . . . . . .      61,792    76,712
          Leasehold improvements. . . . . . . . . . . .       1,439     1,205
          Projects in progress. . . . . . . . . . . . .       7,387     2,881
                                                          ---------- ---------
                                                            106,519   117,978
          Less accumulated depreciation and
           amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      25,332    33,411
                                                          ---------- ---------
                                                            $81,187   $84,567
                                                          ---------- ---------
                                                          ---------- ---------


(6) ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES 

     Accounts payable includes $3.6 million at December 31, 1994 and $11.8
million at December 30, 1995 of checks not yet presented for payment on zero
balance disbursement accounts. 

                                         F-11


                        PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
             (TABLES IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)

(6) ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES (CONTINUED)

     Accrued expenses consist of the following at December 31, 1994 and December
30, 1995: 

                                                              1994        1995
                                                              ----        ----
     Accrued customer rebates . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $3,512     $3,477
     Employee-related compensation and benefits . . . . .     3,331      5,166
     Accrued advertising. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2,625      2,875
     Accrued royalties and commissions. . . . . . . . . .     2,751      3,560
     Accrued insurance and worker's compensation reserves     2,014      1,095
     Accrued interest and commitment fees . . . . . . . .     1,466      3,085
     Other accrued expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     1,069      1,879
                                                            --------   ---------
                                                            $16,768    $21,137
                                                            --------   ---------
                                                            --------   ---------

(7) PENSION PLAN 

     The Company has a defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all
of its non-union employees.  The Company's funding policy provides for annual
contributions of an amount between the minimum required and maximum amount that
can be deducted for federal income tax purposes.  Pension plan assets consist
primarily of investments in publicly traded corporate common stocks and bonds,
as well as U.S. Government obligations.

     Net pension expense includes the following components: 

                                                        1993      1994    1995
                                                        ----      ----    ----
     Service cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $343      $339    $585
     Interest cost on projected benefit obligation. . .  378       381     402
     Actual return (loss) on plan assets. . . . . . . . (467)      163  (1,041)
     Net amortization and deferral. . . . . . . . . . .  216      (518)    684
                                                       ------   ------- -------
        Net pension expense. . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $470      $365    $630
                                                       ------   ------- -------
                                                       ------   ------- -------

     A reconciliation of the funded status of the pension plan at December 31,
1994 and December 30, 1995 follows:

                                                               1994       1995
                                                               ----       ----
   Actuarial present value of accumulated benefit
      obligations:
      Vested benefit obligation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,197    $5,032
      Nonvested benefit obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . .    184       226
                                                             -------  ---------
        Accumulated benefit obligation . . . . . . . . . . .  3,381     5,258
                                                             -------  ---------
                                                             -------  ---------
   Projected benefit obligation for services rendered
      to date. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (4,384)   (6,441)
   Pension plan assets at fair value . . . . . . . . . . . .  4,401     5,338
                                                             -------  ---------
   Pension plan assets in excess of (less than)
      projected benefit obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . .     17    (1,103)
   Unrecognized net asset at March 1, 1987 being
      recognized over 17 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    (76)      (68)
   Unrecognized prior service costs. . . . . . . . . . . . .    235       278
   Amortization and deferral of net losses . . . . . . . . .   (210)      293
                                                             -------  ---------
        Net pension liability included in accrued
           expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $(34)    $(600)
                                                             -------  ---------
                                                             -------  ---------

     The following assumptions were used in determining the actuarial present
value of the projected benefit obligation and net pension expense: 


                                         F-12


                        PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
             (TABLES IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)

(7) PENSION PLAN (CONTINUED)

                                                          1993    1994   1995
                                                          ----    ----   ----
           Discount rate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7.5%   8.75%  7.25%
           Rate of increase in future compensation. . .    5.0     5.0    4.0
           Expected long-term rate of return on assets.    8.5     8.5    8.5


(8) LONG-TERM DEBT

     Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31, 1994 and
December 30, 1995:



                                                                                                            1994        1995
                                                                                                            ----        ----
                                                                                                                  
          Revolver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $79,950     $65,600

          Term loan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      90,000      87,500

          Deed of trust note, collateralized by land and buildings, with interest at 10.5% per
             annum, payable in monthly installments of approximately $49, maturing on July 1,
             1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       3,288       3,039

          Industrial revenue bonds--Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority
             (PEDFA), collateralized by land and building with interest rates ranging from
             7.35% to 7.85% per annum, maturing serially in amounts ranging from $355 to
             $640 through April 1, 2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       4,025       3,645

          Industrial revenue bonds--Mississippi Business Finance Corporation, collateralized by
             land, building and equipment, with variable rate interest (2.75% to 4.5% per
             annum) payable monthly and annual principal payments of $460 beginning July 1,
             1995 and maturing on July 1, 2004. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       4,600       4,140

          Notes payable to insurance company, collateralized by certain equipment, with
             variable rate interest (5.15% to 5.94% per annum) payable in 84 monthly
             installments of $15 plus interest, maturing on June 1, 1999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         836         635

          Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       1,357         829
                                                                                                         ----------   ----------
                                                                                                            184,056     165,388
          Less current portion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     (6,907)    (11,916)
                                                                                                         ----------   ----------
                                                                                                           $177,149    $153,472
                                                                                                         ----------   ----------
                                                                                                         ----------   ----------


    On December 1, 1994, the Company entered into the Credit Agreement with
NationsBank.  The Credit Agreement replaced a prior credit agreement with
NationsBank and a syndicate of banks.  Subsequent to December 1, 1994, the
credit facilities available under the new Credit Agreement were also syndicated
among a group of banks for which NationsBank acts as Agent.  The new Credit
Agreement provided for the Revolver and the Term Loan.  The Company may also 
obtain letters of credit under the Credit Agreement.  Such letters of credit 
reduce availability under the Revolver.

    The Revolver has a term of five years expiring December 1, 1999. 
Availability under the Revolver is regulated by a borrowing base determined by
reference to the Company's accounts receivable and inventory.  As of December
30, 1995, the outstanding principal balance of the Revolver was $65.6 million. 
Letters of credit were outstanding under the Revolver with an aggregate undrawn
face amount of $10.5 million and unused availability under the Revolver was
$73.9 million.


                                         F-13



                        PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
             (TABLES IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)

(8) LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)

    The Term Loan has a term of seven years and a final maturity date of
December 1, 2001.  Graduated quarterly principal payments beginning with $2.5
million are required on the Term Loan on the last day of each calendar quarter
commencing September 30, 1995.  As of December 30, 1995, the outstanding
principal balance of the Term Loan was $87.5 million. 

    The interest rates for borrowings under the Credit Agreement are, at the
Company's option, the administrative agent bank's prime rate or certain
alternate rates (as defined), plus an additional margin of between .50% and
2.625%, depending on the Company's funded debt to earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") ratio (as defined). 
Additionally, the Company pays a commitment fee for the unused portion of the
Revolver, according to each lender's commitment percentage.  The weighted
average annual interest rate under the Company's primary bank credit facility
during 1995 was 8.36% and the aggregate rate in effect at December 30, 1995 was
8.37%. 

    The Credit Agreement is guaranteed by all of the Company's Subsidiaries
other than the Company's Canadian subsidiaries.  All collateral for the Credit
Agreement, which includes all the assets of the Company other than the stock of
the Company's Canadian subsidiaries, is to be released when certain financial
ratios are achieved by the Company. 

    The Credit Agreement contains a number of financial, affirmative and
negative covenants which regulate the Company's operations.  Financial covenants
require maintenance of certain ratios of current assets to current liabilities,
funded debt to EBITDA, and cash flow coverages, and require the Company to
maintain a minimum tangible net worth. Negative covenants restrict, among other
things, the incurrence of debt, the existence of liens, transactions with
affiliates, loans, advances and investments by the Company, payment of dividends
and other distributions to shareholders, dispositions of assets, mergers,
consolidations and dissolutions, capital expenditures, contingent liabilities,
changes in business and acquisitions.  As of December 30, 1995, the Company was
in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement. 

    The interest rates of the deed of trust note and industrial revenue bonds
differ from current market rates.  The fair value of these financial
instruments, estimated by discounting the future cash flows using rates
currently available, is approximately $11,602,000 and $9,654,000 at December 31,
1994 and December 30, 1995, respectively.  Other debt is at current market
rates; therefore, the fair value approximates book value.


                                         F-14



                        PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
             (TABLES IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)

(8) LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)

    Aggregate maturities of long-term debt for each of the five years following
December 30, 1995 and thereafter, assuming the unpaid principal balance at
December 30, 1995 under the Revolver remains unchanged, are as follows: 


       YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 30                                  AMOUNT
       -----------------------                                  ------
              1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       $11,916
              1997 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        11,537
              1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        18,672
              1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        81,668
              2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        15,975
              Thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        25,620


(9) INCOME TAXES

     In addition to the reinstatement of deferred tax described in note 2(g),
total 1993 income tax expense includes current federal tax expense and a
deferred tax benefit for the period from March 24, 1993 through December 31,
1993, as well as applicable foreign and state income taxes. 

     The components of income tax expense are as follows: 

                                                      1993      1994      1995
                                                      ----      ----      ----
     U.S. federal--current. . . . . . . . . . . .   $6,454    $4,159    $2,632
     U.S. federal--deferred . . . . . . . . . . .      776      (40)     3,412
     State and foreign taxes--current . . . . . .    1,190       751     1,242
     State and foreign taxes--deferred. . . . . .     --       (134)       223
                                                    -------   --------  --------

                                                    $8,420    $4,736    $7,509
                                                    -------   --------  --------
                                                    -------   --------  --------


     A reconciliation of income tax expense computed using the U.S. federal
statutory income tax rate of 35% to the actual provision for income taxes
follows: 

                                                      1993      1994      1995
                                                      ----      ----      ----
     Expected tax at U.S. statutory rate . . . . .  $7,420    $4,349    $6,642
     Effect of S corporation status
        (terminated on March 23, 1993) . . . . . .   (875)       --        -- 
     Effect of reinstatement of deferred
        taxes upon change in tax status as
        of March 24, 1993. . . . . . . . . . . . .     972       --        -- 
     State and foreign taxes, net of federal
        benefit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     830       414       652
     Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      73      (27)       215
                                                    -------   --------  --------
                                                    $8,420    $4,736    $7,509
                                                    -------   --------  --------
                                                    -------   --------  --------



                                         F-15



                        PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
             (TABLES IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)

(9) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)

     The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 1994 and
December 30, 1995 are presented below: 

                                                               1994       1995

                                                               ----       ----
     Net deferred tax assets (current):
       Inventory costs and reserves . . . . . . . . . . .     $1,064      $760
       Accrued employee benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . .        241       287
       Allowance for doubtful income accounts . . . . . .        209       266
       State deferred taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        627     1,106
       Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         43       -  
                                                            --------- ---------
          Current deferred tax asset. . . . . . . . . . .      2,184     2,419
                                                            --------- ---------
     Net deferred tax liabilities (noncurrent):
       Package design costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        125       141
       Depreciable assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    (3,355)   (5,830)
       State deferred income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . .      (487)   (1,008)
       Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        -       (633)
       Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         70     (200)
                                                            --------- ---------
          Noncurrent deferred tax liability . . . . . . .    (3,647)   (7,530)
                                                            --------- ---------
          Net deferred tax liability. . . . . . . . . . .   $(1,463)  $(5,111)
                                                            --------- ---------
                                                            --------- ---------


(10) COMMON STOCK

     The Company, under a 1990 stock repurchase agreement with its former
majority shareholder, now deceased, and subject to meeting certain conditions,
including the availability of funds and lender approval, was committed to
repurchase 12,343,296 shares of common stock from the former majority
shareholder on or before December 31, 1993 at a purchase price of $27,500,000 at
that date.  On January 19, 1993, the Company repurchased the 12,343,296 shares
under the stock purchase agreement from the former majority shareholder's estate
for $27,500,000, consisting of $2,000,000 in cash and a subordinated note in the
amount of $25,500,000.  The note bore no interest and was fully repaid in 1993
from the proceeds of the initial public offering. 

     On March 17, 1993, the Company completed an initial public offering of its
common stock with the issuance of 4,085,000 shares at $14.00 per share.  The
Company received net proceeds of $52,104,000 after deducting offering costs. 
The net proceeds were used to (i) retire the $25,500,000 outstanding balance of
a note payable issued in connection with the repurchase of 12,343,296 shares of
common stock as discussed above, and (ii) reduce the Company's bank
indebtedness. 

(11) STOCK OPTIONS 

     Effective February 17, 1993, the Company established the Stock Option Plan,
under which options may be granted to eligible employees and nonemployee
directors of the Company.  Under the Stock Option Plan, the Board of Directors
may grant either nonqualified stock options or incentive stock options. 
Additionally, the plan provides for the reservation and issuance of up to
1,200,000 shares of the Company's common stock. 


                                         F-16



                        PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
             (TABLES IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)

(11) STOCK OPTIONS (CONTINUED)

     All options are granted at an exercise price not less than the fair market
value of the common stock at the date of grant.  The option period may not be
more than ten years from the date the option is granted and generally the
options may be exercised ratably over a four year period or as otherwise
specified by the Board of Directors. 

     A summary of option activity during 1993, 1994 and 1995 follows: 




                                                                                                  NUMBER       EXERCISE PRICE
                                                                                                 --------     ------------------
                                                                                                        
       Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        521,444     $14.00  -- 14.875
       Cancelled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (73,573)    $14.00
                                                                                              -------------
     Outstanding at December 31, 1993 (no shares were
       exercisable). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        447,871     $14.00  -- 14.875
       Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         86,431     $15.125 -- 19.00
       Cancelled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (142,863)    $14.00  -- 14.875
       Exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (27,498)    $14.00
                                                                                              -------------
     Outstanding at December 31, 1994 (69,378 shares
       exercisable). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        363,941     $14.00  -- 19.00
       Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        187,000     $ 8.88  -- 14.00
       Cancelled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (114,002)    $ 8.88  -- 19.00
                                                                                              -------------
     Outstanding at December 30, 1995 (130,719 shares
       exercisable). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        436,939     $ 8.88  -- 19.00
                                                                                              -------------
                                                                                              -------------



(12) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

    Dividends payable to the former Subchapter S shareholders were declared and
paid in 1993 and 1994 to satisfy certain federal and state tax liabilities
attributable to their share of earnings during the period that the Company was a
Subchapter S corporation for tax purposes.

(13) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES 

    Manufacturing facilities at certain locations, a showroom and warehouse
space are leased under noncancelable operating lease agreements.  These leases
generally require the Company to pay all executory costs such as maintenance and
taxes.  Rental expense for operating leases was $1,872,000, $1,928,000 and
$3,061,000, during 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively. 

    Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases (with
initial or remaining lease terms in excess of one year) which expire at various
dates through 2002 are as follows: 

 YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 30,                                      AMOUNT
 ------------------------                                      ------
            1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $4,584
            1997 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    3,384
            1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    2,804
            1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1,916
            Thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    3,119

Additionally, the Company has entered into a five year lease agreement for
computer equipment which commences in January 1996.  The future minimum lease
payments are included in the table above.


                                         F-17



                        PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
             (TABLES IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)

(13) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (CONTINUED)

     From time to time, the Company is a party to various legal proceedings
arising in the ordinary course of business.  While any proceeding or litigation
has an element of uncertainty, management believes that the final outcome of all
matters currently pending will not have a materially adverse effect on the
Company's financial position.

(14) SEGMENT DATA AND CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

     The Company's customers are located primarily throughout the United States
and Canada and concentration of credit risks with respect to the Company's
unsecured trade receivables is considered to be limited.  Although the Company
closely monitors the creditworthiness of its customers, adjusting credit
policies and limits as needed, a customers' ability to pay is largely dependent
upon the retail industry's economic environment. 

     Sales to the Company's individual major customers, including their
affiliated entities, accounted for approximately 15% in 1993, 13% in 1994 and
14% and 13% of net sales in 1995.  Sales to foreign customers were approximately
3% of net sales in 1993, 9% in 1994 and 8% in 1995. 

     The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon
factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends,
and other information.  The Company has trade receivables which are due from
certain customers who are experiencing financial difficulties.  However, in the
opinion of management of the Company, the allowance for doubtful accounts is
adequate and outstanding trade receivables are presented at net realizable
value. 

(15) SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) 

     The following tables present unaudited financial data of the Company for
each quarter of 1994 and 1995: 



                                                                                       1994 QUARTER ENDED
                                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   MARCH 31        JUNE 30     SEPTEMBER 30    DECEMBER 31
                                                                   --------        -------     ------------    -----------
                                                                                                    
          Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       $71,316        $66,005       $101,415       $110,784
                                                                 -----------     ----------    -----------    ------------
                                                                 -----------     ----------    -----------    ------------
          Gross profit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        12,385         11,393         16,766         14,262
                                                                 -----------     ----------    -----------    ------------
                                                                 -----------     ----------    -----------    ------------
          Net earnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         2,127          1,236          3,345            981
                                                                 -----------     ----------    -----------    ------------
                                                                 -----------     ----------    -----------    ------------
          Earnings per common share . . . . . . . . . . . . .           .20            .12            .32            .09
                                                                 -----------     ----------    -----------    ------------
                                                                 -----------     ----------    -----------    ------------

                                                                                       1995 QUARTER ENDED
                                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     APRIL 1       JULY 1     SEPTEMBER 30      DECEMBER 30
                                                                     -------       ------     ------------      -----------
          Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       $94,740        $90,788       $146,824       $142,547
                                                                 -----------     ----------    -----------    ------------
                                                                 -----------     ----------    -----------    ------------
          Gross profit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        16,454         16,126         24,365         22,032
                                                                 -----------     ----------    -----------    ------------
                                                                 -----------     ----------    -----------    ------------
          Net earnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1,162          1,088          4,738          4,481
                                                                 -----------     ----------    -----------    ------------
                                                                 -----------     ----------    -----------    ------------
          Earnings per common share . . . . . . . . . . . . .           .11            .10            .45            .42
                                                                 -----------     ----------    -----------    ------------
                                                                 -----------     ----------    -----------    ------------


(16) SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    The following is summarized condensed consolidating financial information
for the Company, segregating the Parent and guarantor subsidiaries from
nonguarantor subsidiaries.  The guarantor subsidiaries are wholly owned
subsidiaries of the Company and guarantees are full, unconditional and joint and
several.  Separate financial statements of the guarantor subsidiaries are not
presented because management believes that these financial statements would not
be material to investors. Statements of earnings and cash flows are not
presented for the year ended December 31, 1993,


                                         F-18


                        PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
             (TABLES IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)

(16) SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

as Torfeaco (the principal nonguarantor subsidiary) was acquired on December 1,
1993 (see note 3) and management believes that the difference between such
financial information for the Parent and guarantor subsidiaries and the related
consolidated information is inconsequential.


                                         F-19


                    PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
         (TABLES IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)

(16) SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)



                                                     DECEMBER 31, 1994                            DECEMBER 30, 1995
                                        ------------------------------------------   ------------------------------------------
                                         PARENT AND        NON-                       PARENT AND        NON-
                                          GUARANTOR      GUARNTOR                      GUARANTOR      GUARNTOR
     FINANCIAL POSITION                 SUBSIDIARIES   SUBSIDIARIES   CONSOLIDATED   SUBSIDIARIES   SUBSIDIARIES   CONSOLIDATED
     ------------------                 ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                                                                 
ASSETS
Receivables:
  Trade. . . . . . . . . . . . . .         $68,103         $4,278        $72,381        $66,854         $4,830        $71,684
  Affiliates . . . . . . . . . . .           7,486             --             --          8,795             --             --
Inventories. . . . . . . . . . . .          94,555         12,961        107,516         95,710         11,694        107,404
Other current assets . . . . . . .           4,686            425          5,111          5,699          1,059          6,758
                                          --------        -------       --------       --------        -------       --------
     Total current assets. . . . .         174,830         17,664        185,008        177,058         17,583        185,846
Property, plant and equipment,
 net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          77,729          3,458         81,187         81,574          2,993         84,567
Intangible assets. . . . . . . . .          48,334          2,311         50,645         49,042          2,737         51,779
Other assets . . . . . . . . . . .           2,704             --          2,704          2,518             --          2,518
                                          --------        -------       --------       --------        -------       --------
     Total assets. . . . . . . . .        $303,597        $23,433       $319,544       $310,192        $23,313       $324,710
                                          --------        -------       --------       --------        -------       --------
                                          --------        -------       --------       --------        -------       --------

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued
 liabilities . . . . . . . . . . .         $51,652         $3,033        $54,685        $59,305         $3,922        $63,227
Accounts payable--affiliates . . .              --          7,486             --             --          8,795             --
Other current liabilities. . . . .           7,568             17          7,585         12,452             39         12,491
                                          --------        -------       --------       --------        -------       --------
     Total current liabilities . .          59,220         10,536         62,270         71,757         12,756         75,718
Noncurrent liabilities . . . . . .         180,084            712        180,796        160,370            632        161,002
                                          --------        -------       --------       --------        -------       --------
     Total liabilities . . . . . .         239,304         11,248        243,066        232,127         13,388        236,720
Shareholders' equity . . . . . . .          64,293         12,185         76,478         78,065          9,925         87,990
                                          --------        -------       --------       --------        -------       --------
     Total liabilities and
      shareholders' equity . . . .        $303,597        $23,433       $319,544       $310,192        $23,313       $324,710
                                          --------        -------       --------       --------        -------       --------
                                          --------        -------       --------       --------        -------       --------



                                              SEPTEMBER 28, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
                                        ------------------------------------------
                                         PARENT AND        NON-
                                          GUARANTOR      GUARNTOR
     FINANCIAL POSITION                 SUBSIDIARIES   SUBSIDIARIES   CONSOLIDATED
     ------------------                 ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                             
ASSETS
Receivables:
  Trade. . . . . . . . . . . . . .         $88,158         $4,890        $93,048
  Affiliates . . . . . . . . . . .           3,805             --             --
Inventories. . . . . . . . . . . .         126,721          8,766        135,487
Other current assets . . . . . . .           9,154          1,135         10,289
                                          --------        -------       --------
     Total current assets. . . . .         229,838         14,791        238,824
Property, plant and equipment,
 net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          76,481          2,525         79,006
Intangible assets. . . . . . . . .          47,650          2,688         50,338
Other assets . . . . . . . . . . .           2,502             --          2,502
                                          --------        -------       --------
     Total assets. . . . . . . . .        $356,471        $20,004       $370,670
                                          --------        -------       --------
                                          --------        -------       --------

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and accrued
 liabilities . . . . . . . . . . .         $68,402         $3,141        $71,543
Accounts payable--affiliates . . .              --          5,805             --
Other current liabilities. . . . .          14,493              1         14,494
                                          --------        -------       --------
     Total current liabilities . .          82,895          8,947         86,037
Noncurrent liabilities . . . . . .         188,766            825        189,591
                                          --------        -------       --------
     Total liabilities . . . . . .         271,661          9,772        275,628
Shareholders' equity . . . . . . .          84,810         10,232         95,042
                                          --------        -------       --------
     Total liabilities and
      shareholders' equity . . . .        $356,471        $20,004       $370,670
                                          --------        -------       --------
                                          --------        -------       --------



                                      F-20


                    PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
         (TABLES IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)

(16) SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)



                                                                            YEARS ENDED
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     DECEMBER 31, 1994                            DECEMBER 30, 1995
                                        ------------------------------------------   ------------------------------------------
                                         PARENT AND        NON-                       PARENT AND        NON-
                                          GUARANTOR     GUARANTOR                     GUARANTOR      GUARANTOR
     RESULTS OF OPERATIONS              SUBSIDIARIES   SUBSIDIARIES   CONSOLIDATED   SUBSIDIARIES   SUBSIDIARIES   CONSOLIDATED
     ---------------------              ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                                                                 
Net sales. . . . . . . . . . . . .        $322,124        $27,396       $349,520       $437,658        $37,241       $474,899
Cost of goods sold . . . . . . . .         269,008         25,706        294,714        361,749         34,173        395,922
                                         ---------        -------       --------      ---------        -------      ---------
  Gross profit . . . . . . . . . .          53,116          1,690         54,806         75,909          3,068         78,977
Selling, general and
 administrative. . . . . . . . . .          35,128          1,271         36,399         40,771          1,737         42,508
                                         ---------        -------       --------      ---------        -------      ---------
  Earnings from operations . . . .          17,988            419         18,407         35,138          1,331         36,469
Interest expense and other, net. .           6,369           (387)         5,982         17,482              9         17,491
                                         ---------        -------       --------      ---------        -------      ---------
  Earnings before income taxes . .          11,619            806         12,425         17,656          1,322         18,978
Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . .           4,694             42          4,736          7,101            408          7,509
                                         ---------        -------       --------      ---------        -------      ---------
  Net earnings . . . . . . . . . .          $6,925           $764         $7,689        $10,555           $914        $11,469
                                         ---------        -------       --------      ---------        -------      ---------
                                         ---------        -------       --------      ---------        -------      ---------



                                                                          NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    SEPTEMBER 30, 1995                           SEPTEMBER 28, 1996
                                        ------------------------------------------   ------------------------------------------
                                         PARENT AND        NON-                       PARENT AND        NON-
                                          GUARANTOR     GUARANTOR                     GUARANTOR      GUARANTOR
     RESULTS OF OPERATIONS              SUBSIDIARIES   SUBSIDIARIES   CONSOLIDATED   SUBSIDIARIES   SUBSIDIARIES   CONSOLIDATED
     ---------------------              ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                                              (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                 
Net sales. . . . . . . . . . . . .        $307,944        $24,408       $332,352       $312,639        $23,131       $335,770
Cost of goods sold . . . . . . . .         252,782         22,625        275,407        258,554         21,718        280,272
                                         ---------        -------       --------      ---------        -------      ---------
  Gross profit . . . . . . . . . .          55,162          1,783         56,945         54,085          1,413         55,498
Selling, general and
 administrative. . . . . . . . . .          30,982          1,333         32,315         29,987          1,183         31,170
                                         ---------        -------       --------      ---------        -------      ---------
  Earnings from operations . . . .          24,180            450         24,630         24,098            230         24,328
Interest expense and other, net. .          12,959              5         12,964         10,296            (17)        10,279
                                         ---------        -------       --------      ---------        -------      ---------
  Earnings before income taxes . .          11,221            445         11,666         13,802            247         14,049
Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . .           4,680             (2)         4,678          5,538            (43)         5,495
                                         ---------        -------       --------      ---------        -------      ---------
  Net earnings . . . . . . . . . .          $6,541           $447         $6,988         $8,264           $290         $8,554
                                         ---------        -------       --------      ---------        -------      ---------
                                         ---------        -------       --------      ---------        -------      ---------



                                      F-21


                    PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
         (TABLES IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)

(16) SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)



                                                                            YEARS ENDED
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     DECEMBER 31, 1994                            DECEMBER 30, 1995
                                        ------------------------------------------   ------------------------------------------
                                         PARENT AND        NON-                       PARENT AND        NON-
                                          GUARANTOR     GUARANTOR                     GUARANTOR      GUARANTOR
     CASH FLOW                          SUBSIDIARIES   SUBSIDIARIES   CONSOLIDATED   SUBSIDIARIES   SUBSIDIARIES   CONSOLIDATED
     ---------                          ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                                                                 
Cash provided by (used in)
 operating activities. . . . . . .         $24,400        $(8,336)       $16,064        $23,852         $2,033        $25,885
Cash used in investing
 activities. . . . . . . . . . . .        (125,414)        (2,214)      (127,628)       (13,883)          (681)       (14,564)
Cash provided by (used in)
 financing activities. . . . . . .          99,590          9,959        109,549        (10,132)        (1,349)       (11,481)
                                          --------        -------       --------        -------        -------        -------
Increase in cash and cash
 equivalents . . . . . . . . . . .          (1,424)          (591)        (2,015)          (163)             3           (160)
Cash and cash equivalents at
 beginning of period . . . . . . .           1,993            593          2,586            569              2            571
                                          --------        -------       --------        -------        -------        -------
Cash and cash equivalents at end
 of period . . . . . . . . . . . .            $569             $2           $571           $406             $5           $411
                                          --------        -------       --------        -------        -------        -------
                                          --------        -------       --------        -------        -------        -------



                                                                          NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    SEPTEMBER 30, 1995                           SEPTEMBER 28, 1996
                                        ------------------------------------------   ------------------------------------------
                                         PARENT AND        NON-                       PARENT AND        NON-
                                          GUARANTOR     GUARANTOR                     GUARANTOR      GUARANTOR
     RESULTS OF OPERATIONS              SUBSIDIARIES   SUBSIDIARIES   CONSOLIDATED   SUBSIDIARIES   SUBSIDIARIES   CONSOLIDATED
     ---------------------              ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                                              (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                 
Cash provided by (used in)
 operating activities. . . . . . .        $(22,337)       $(4,768)      $(27,105)      $(15,446)        $3,513       $(11,933)
Cash used in investing
 activities. . . . . . . . . . . .          (9,262)          (774)       (10,036)        (1,593)           (19)        (1,612)
Cash provided by (used in)
 financing activities. . . . . . .          31,409          5,655         37,064         17,040         (3,491)        13,549
                                         ---------        -------      ---------       --------        -------       --------
Increase in cash and cash
 equivalents . . . . . . . . . . .            (190)           113            (77)             1              3              4
Cash and cash equivalents at
 beginning of period . . . . . . .             569              2            571              6              5             11
                                         ---------        -------      ---------       --------        -------       --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end
 of period . . . . . . . . . . . .            $379           $115           $494             $7             $8            $15
                                         ---------        -------      ---------       --------        -------       --------
                                         ---------        -------      ---------       --------        -------       --------



                                      F-22


ALL TENDERED OLD NOTES, EXECUTED LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL AND OTHER RELATED
DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.  QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR
ASSISTANCE AND REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS, THE LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL AND OTHER RELATED DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE EXCHANGE
AGENT AS FOLLOWS:

                        BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL:

                            Bank One, Columbus, N.A.
                              235 West Schrock Road
                            Columbus, Ohio 43271-0184
                                       or
                            Bank One, Columbus, N.A.
                             c/o First Chicago Trust
                               Company of New York
                      Attention: Corporate Trust Department
                                 14 Wall Street
                               8th Floor, Window 2
                            New York, New York 10005

                          BY HAND OR OVERNIGHT COURIER:

                            Bank One, Columbus, N.A.
                              235 West Schrock Road
                             Westerville, Ohio 43081
                                       or
                            Bank One, Columbus, N.A.
                             c/o First Chicago Trust
                               Company of New York
                      Attention: Corporate Trust Department
                                 14 Wall Street
                               8th Floor Window 2
                            New York, New York 10005

                                  BY FACSIMILE:
                               (614) 248-5088 (OH)
                                       or
                               (212) 240-8988 (NY)
                   Confirm by Telephone:  (212) 240-8862 (NY)
                                          1-800-346-5152

     (Originals of all documents submitted by facsimile should be sent promptly
by hand, overnight courier, or registered or certified mail)

     NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON IS AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY
OFFERING MADE HEREBY TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT
CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY
OR BY THE INITIAL PURCHASERS.  THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO
SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITY OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES
OFFERED HEREBY, NOR DOES IT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN
OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY TO ANY PERSON IN ANY
JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION TO
SUCH PERSON.  NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE
HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY DATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE
HEREOF.



                      OFFER TO EXCHANGE ALL OUTSTANDING 10%
                       SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2006
                     ($125,000,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT) FOR 10%
                       SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2006



                              PILLOWTEX CORPORATION


                             ----------------------
                                   PROSPECTUS
                             ----------------------



                             ____________ ___, 1997



                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS


ITEM 20.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR
          MONETARY DAMAGES

     (a)  The Articles of Incorporation, as amended to date (the "Articles of
Incorporation"), of Pillowtex Corporation (the "Company"), together with its
Bylaws, provide that the Company shall indemnify officers and directors, and may
indemnify its other employees and agents, to the fullest extent permitted by
law.  The laws of the State of Texas permit, and in some cases require,
corporations to indemnify officers, directors, agents and employees who are or
have been a party to or are threatened to be made a party to litigation against
judgements, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses under certain
circumstances.

     (b)  The Company has also adopted provisions in its Articles of
Incorporation that limit the liability of its directors to the fullest extent
permitted by the laws of the State of Texas.  Under the Company's Articles of
Incorporation, and as permitted by the laws of the State of Texas, a director is
not liable to the Company or its shareholders for breach of fiduciary duty.
Such limitation does not affect liability for: (i) a breach of the director's
duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders or members; (ii) an act or
omission not in good faith that constitutes a breach of duty of the director to
the Company or an act or omission that involves intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of the law; (iii) a transaction from which the director
received an improper benefit, whether or not the benefit resulted from an action
taken within the scope of the director's office; or (iv) an act or omission for
which the liability of a director is expressly provided by an applicable
statute.


                                      II-1


ITEM 21.  EXHIBITS.

(a)  Exhibits.

     Exhibit No.    Description
     -----------    -----------

     3.1(1)         Restated Articles of Incorporation of Pillowtex, as amended

     3.2(5)         Amendment to Bylaws and Amended and Restated Bylaws as
                    currently in effect for Pillowtex Corporation

     4.1(8)         Indenture, dated November 12, 1996

     4.2(8)         Form of Note (included in Exhibit 4.1)

     5.1(8)         Opinion of Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation,
                    as to the legality of the Notes

     10.1(1)        Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1993, between
                    Pillowtex and Charles M. Hansen, Jr. ("Hansen") Amendment to
                    Employment Agreement dated as of July 26, 1993, between
                    Pillowtex and Hansen

     10.3(1)        Mississippi Business Finance Corporation Industrial
                    Development Variable Rate Demand Notes (Pillowtex
                    Corporation Project) Series 1992 Loan Agreement, Indenture
                    of Trust, Promissory Note, Remarketing and Interest Services
                    Agreement, Placement Agreement, Deed of Trust and Security
                    Agreement, Bond Fund Trustee Agreement, Reimbursement
                    Agreement, and Lease Agreement (including First Amendment)

     10.4(2)        Second through Fourth Amendment to Mississippi Business
                    Finance Corporation Industrial Development Variable Rate
                    Demand Notes (Pillowtex Corporation Project) Loan Agreement

     10.5(1)        Deed of Trust (with Security Agreement and Assignment of
                    Rents and Leases), dated as of July 15, 1988, between
                    Pillowtex and Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company, as
                    amended, Deed of Trust Note, and Loan Modification and
                    Amendment Agreement

     10.6(1)        Second Loan Agreement Modification and Amendment Agreement
                    dated as of January 19, 1993, between Pillowtex and
                    Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company

     10.7(1)        Deed of Trust Note dated as of July 15, 1988, from Pillowtex
                    to Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company

     10.8(1)        Loan and Security Agreement dated April 6, 1992, between
                    MetLife Capital Corporation and Pillowtex, as amended, and
                    including Term Note dated June 5, 1992

     10.9(1)        Sublicense Agreement dated July 1, 1992, between The Ralph
                    Lauren Home Collection and Pillowtex (Confidential portions
                    of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with
                    the Commission)

     10.10(1)       Commercial Lease Agreement dated as of August 4, 1992,
                    between Estate of David Greenberg and Pillowtex

     10.11(1)       Industrial Lease dated as of November 23, 1992, between
                    Angel and Jean Echevarria and Pillowtex

     10.12(1)       Form of Lease dated as of October 12, 1988, between Jimmie
                    D. Smith, Jr. and Pillowtex

     10.13(1)       Agreement of Lease dated as of September 18, 1985, between
                    Ten Seventy One Joint Venture and Pillowtex

     10.14(1)       Pillowtex Corporation 1993 Stock Option Plan

     10.15(1)       Form of Confidentiality and Noncompetition Agreement


                                      II-2


     Exhibit No.    Description
     -----------    -----------

     10.16(1)       Guaranty dated as of April 1, 1990, made by Pillowtex in
                    favor of NCNB National Bank of North Carolina

     10.17(1)       Letter Agreement dated February 15, 1993, between Pillowtex
                    and Silversen-Hanover Corporation regarding the acquisition
                    by Pillowtex of the Hanover, Pennsylvania facility

     10.18(1)       Form of Director Indemnification Agreement

     10.19(2)       Split Dollar Life Agreement between Pillowtex Corporation
                    and Charles M. Hansen, Jr. dated July 26, 1993

     10.20(3)       Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of August 31, 1993, by and
                    among Pillowtex Corporation, Spencer Hays, Michael V. Black,
                    James R. Brubaker, Michael N. Cotten, Charles R. Wooden,
                    James W. Crawford, Joseph F. Tavares, Steven M. Davidson,
                    Texas Christian University, and General Trust Company,
                    Trustee Custodian

     10.21(2)       Sublicense Agreement dated June 29, 1988, between The Ralph
                    Lauren Home Collection and Tennessee Woolen Mills, Inc.
                    (Confidential portions of this exhibit have been omitted and
                    file separately with the Commission)

     10.22(2)       Lease Agreement dated September 26, 1991, between Tennessee
                    Woolen Mills, Inc. and Carolyn W. Stone

     10.23(2)       Sublease Agreement dated April 2, 1992, between Tennessee
                    Woolen Mills, Inc. and Robertshaw Controls Company

     10.24(2)       Asset Purchase Agreement entered into in August 1993, by and
                    between Man-Mill Acquisition, Inc. and Manetta Mills, Inc.

     10.25(2)       First Amendment to Lease and Assignment and Assumption of
                    Lease with Landlord's Consent dated August 30, 1993, among
                    Manetta Mills, Inc., Man-Mill Acquisition, Inc., and Lando
                    Land Company

     10.26(2)       First Amendment to Lease and Assignment and Assumption of
                    Lease and Purchase Option with Landlord's Consent dated
                    August 30, 1993, among Manetta Mills, Inc., Man-Mill
                    Acquisition, Inc., and Lando Land Company

     10.27(2)       Share Purchase Agreement dated as of November 4, 1993, by
                    and between TFC Acquisition, Inc., Leon Cornofsky, Diane
                    Cornofsky, Ron Flusk, Paula Flusk, Harold Hafner, Priscilla
                    Hafner, Allen Wellman, June Wellman, LA-JJ's Inc., L. and
                    D.C. Investments Inc., Harold Hafner Holdings Limited, and
                    835159 Ontario Limited

     10.28(2)       Share Purchase Agreement Amendment dated as of November 30,
                    1993 and effective as of November 4, 1993 by and between TFC
                    Acquisition, Inc., Leon Cornofsky, Diane Cornofsky, Ron
                    Flusk, Paula Flusk, Harold Hafner, Priscilla Hafner, Allen
                    Wellman, June Wellman, LA-JJ's Inc., L. and D.C. Investments
                    Inc., Harold Hafner Holdings Limited, and 835159 Ontario
                    Limited

     10.29(2)       Indenture dated as of February 1, 1994, by and among
                    Torfeaco Industries Limited and Lodestone Investments
                    Limited, Lese Holdings Limited, Golden Elms Limited, M.
                    Swadron Limited, and Helsinor Investments Limited

     10.30(2)       Lease dated as of March 1, 1977, by and among Torfeaco
                    Industries Limited and Standa Investment Limited, and Sharon
                    Construction Limited


                                      II-3


     Exhibit No.    Description
     -----------    -----------

     10.31(2)       Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority
                    ("PEDFA") Economic Development Revenue Bonds 1990 Series C
                    (Silversen-Hanover Corporation Project), dated April 1,
                    1990, Indenture of Trust between PEDFA and First
                    Pennsylvania Bank; Financing Agreement between PEDFA and
                    Silversen-Hanover Corporation; Bond Placement Agreement
                    among PEDFA, NCNB National Bank of North Carolina and
                    Silversen-Hanover Corporation; Reimbursement Agreement
                    between Silversen-Hanover Corporation and NCNB National Bank
                    of North Carolina; and Form of Bond

     10.32(5)       Credit Agreement, dated as of December 1, 1994, among
                    Pillowtex Corporation, NationsBank of Texas, N.A. and
                    certain lenders

     10.33(5)       Waiver under Credit Agreement, dated January 30, 1995

     10.34(5)       First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated February 10, 1995


     10.35(5)       Distribution Agreement, dated February 1, 1995 by and among
                    Beacon Manufacturing Company, Manetta Home Fashions, Inc.,
                    Tennessee Woolen Mills, Inc., NEMCOR, Inc., Norm McIntyre,
                    Tim McIntyre and Don McIntyre

     10.36(5)       The Priorities Agreement, dated February 27, 1995, between
                    Toronto Dominion Bank, Manetta Home Fashions, Inc.,
                    Tennessee Woolen Mills, Inc. and Beacon Manufacturing
                    Company and NEMCOR, Inc.

     10.37(5)       A Guarantee, dated February 27, 1995, between Beacon
                    Manufacturing Company, Manetta Home Fashions, Inc.,
                    Tennessee Woolen Mills, Inc. and NEMCOR, Inc.

     10.38(5)       Security Agreement, dated February 16, 1995, between NEMCOR,
                    Inc. and Manetta Home Fashions, Inc.

     10.39(5)       Security Agreement, dated February 16, 1995, between NEMCOR,
                    Inc. and Tennessee Woolen Mills, Inc.

     10.40(5)       Security Agreement, dated February 16, 1995, between NEMCOR,
                    Inc. and Beacon Manufacturing Company

     10.41(4)       Amended and Restated Acquisition Agreement dated as of
                    November 30, 1994, by and among David H. Murdock, Beacon
                    Manufacturing Company, Wiscassett Mills Company, Pillowtex
                    Corporation, Be-Ac, Inc., Realmac, Inc., and Wiscat, Inc.

     10.42(5)       Purchase agreement between Coopers & Lybrand and Torfeaco
                    Industries Limited for certain assets, dated 8/19/94

     10.43(5)       Agreement, dated January 1, 1995, between The Walt Disney
                    Company and Beacon Manufacturing Company for the license for
                    "Aladdin"

     10.44(5)       Agreement, dated August 27, 1993, and amended February 8,
                    1994, between The Walt Disney Company and Beacon
                    Manufacturing Company for the license for "Classic Winnie
                    the Pooh"

     10.45(5)       Agreement, dated July 11, 1994,  between The Walt Disney
                    Company and Beacon Manufacturing Company for the license for
                    "Home Improvement"

     10.46(5)       Agreement, dated November 1, 1994, between The Walt Disney
                    Company and Beacon Manufacturing Company for the license for
                    "The Lion King"

     10.47(5)       Agreement, dated September 1, 1994, between The Walt Disney
                    Company and Beacon Manufacturing Company for the license for
                    "Disney's Pocahontas"


                                      II-4


     Exhibit No.    Description
     -----------    -----------

     10.48(5)       Agreement, dated January 1, 1994, between The Walt Disney
                    Company and Beacon Manufacturing Company for the license for
                    "Mickey & Co., Baby Mickey & Co., Mickey's Stuff for Kids
                    and Mickey Unlimited"

     10.49(5)       Agreement, dated August 26, 1993, and as amended February
                    18, 1994, between The Walt Disney Company and Beacon
                    Manufacturing Company for the license for "Disney Winnie the
                    Pooh"

     10.50(5)       Agreement by and between the U.S. Postal Service and
                    Pillowtex Corporation

     10.51(5)       Agreement, dated August 4, 1994, between the Columbus Museum
                    of Art and Pillowtex Corporation

     10.52(5)       Lease Agreement, dated as of April 22, 1994, by and between
                    The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company and Pillowtex
                    Corporation

     10.53(5)       Lease, dated as of August 17, 1994, between 469299 Ontario
                    Limited and Torfeaco Industries Limited

     10.54(5)       Lease, dated as of August 31, 1990, by and between Jantzen,
                    Inc. and Beacon Manufacturing Company

     10.55(5)       Lease (with Option to Purchase), dated as of April 19, 1993,
                    by and between J.L. de Ball Girmes of America, Inc. and
                    Beacon Manufacturing Company

     10.56(5)       First Amendment to Lease, dated as of April 12, 1994, by and
                    between Asheville Property Administration and Leasing, Inc.
                    and Beacon Manufacturing Company

     10.57(6)       Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of March 30,
                    1996, between Pillowtex Corporation and NationsBank of
                    Texas, N.A.

     10.58(7)       Form of Equipment Leasing Agreement between BTM Financial &
                    Leasing Corporation B-4 and Beacon Manufacturing Company,
                    Manetta Home Fashions, Inc. and Tennessee Woolen Mills, Inc,
                    dated as of June 14, 1996 (without exhibits)

     10.59(8)       Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 12,
                    1996, by and among Pillowtex Corporation, each domestic
                    subsidiary of Pillowtex Corporation and NationsBanc Capital
                    Markets, Inc., and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith,
                    Incorporated

     10.60(8)       Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 12, 1996, by
                    and among Pillowtex Corporation and NationsBank of Texas,
                    N.A., as Agent for the Lenders specified therein (excludes
                    Schedules)

     10.61(8)       Form of Swing-Line Note, dated as of Novembe 12, 1996, by
                    and among Pillowtex Corporation and NationsBank of Texas,
                    N.A.  (see Exhibit A-1 to Exhibit 10.61)

     10.62(8)       Form of Revolving Note,  by and among Pillowtex Corporation
                    and NationsBank of Texas, N.A.  (see Exhibit A-2 to Exhibit
                    10.61)

     10.63(8)       Form of Restated Guaranty, by and among Beacon Manafacturing
                    Company, Mannetta Home Fashions, Inc., Tennessee Woolen
                    Mills, Inc., Pillowtex, Inc., PTEX Holding Company, and
                    Pillowtex Management Services Company as guarantors,
                    NationsBank of Texas, N.A. as Agent and Pillowtex
                    Corporation as Borrower (see Exhibit B to Exhibit 10.61)


                                      II-5


     Exhibit No.    Description
     -----------    -----------

     10.64(8)       Form of Restated Security Agreement, by and among Pillowtex
                    Corporation as Debtor/ Borrower, NationsBank of Texas, N.A.
                    as Secured Party and Beacon Manafacturing Company, Mannetta
                    Home Fashions, Inc., Tennessee Woolen Mills, Inc.,
                    Pillowtex, Inc., PTEX Holding Company, and Pillowtex
                    Management Services Company as Subsidiary  Debtors (see
                    Exhibit C-1 to Exhibit 10.61)

     10.65(8)       Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 3, 1996, by
                    and among Pillowtex Corporation and Fieldcrest Cannon, Inc.

     10.66(8)       Trademark Licensing Agreement, dated as of November 18,
                    1996, by and among Pillowtex Corporation and Fieldcrest
                    Cannon, Inc.

     12.1(8)        Statement re:  Computation of Ratios

     21.2(5)        List of Subsidiaries

     23.1(8)        Consent of Independent Auditors and report on financial
                    statement schedule

     23.2(8)        Consent of Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation,
                    (to be included in its opinion filed in Exhibit 5.1)

     24.1(8)        Power of Attorney (included on signature page hereto)

     25.1(8)        Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of
                    1939 on Form T-1



- ---------------

(1)  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with the Company's
     Registration Statement on Form S-1 (33-57314) filed January 22, 1993 and
     amended on February 19, 1993, March 4, 1993, March 15, 1993, and March 17,
     1993, which Registration Statement became effective March 17, 1993.

(2)  Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with Registrant's Form 10-K
     filed on March 31, 1994.

(3)  Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Form 8-K filed September 23,
     1993.

(4)  Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Form 8-K filed December 14,
     1994.

(5)  Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with Registrant's Form 10-K
     filed on March 31, 1995.

(6)  Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with Registrant's Form 10-Q
     filed on March 30, 1996.

(7)  Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with Registrant's Form 10-Q
     filed on June 29, 1996.

(8)  Filed herewith.


(b)  Financial Schedules.

     Schedule No.        Description
     ------------        -----------

     Schedule II         Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

     All other financial schedules have been omitted because of the absence of
     conditions under which they are required or because the information
     required is set forth in the financial statements of the notes thereto.


                                      II-6


ITEM 22.  UNDERTAKINGS

     (a)  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), may be permitted to
directors, officers, and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the
opinion of the Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

     (b)  The undersigned Company hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the Prospectus pursuant to
Items 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means.  This includes information contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of this Exchange Offer Registration
Statement through the date of responding to the request.

     (c)  The undersigned Company hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in this Exchange Offer Registration Statement when it became effective.


                                      II-7


                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Company has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the County of Dallas, State of
Texas, on December 11, 1996.

                              PILLOWTEX CORPORATION


                              By:   /s/ Charles M. Hansen, Jr.
                                   ------------------------------
                                   Charles M. Hansen, Jr.
                                   ------------------------------
                                   Chairman of the Board, President and
                                    Chief Executive Officer

     Each individual whose signature appears below hereby designates and
appoints Charles M. Hansen, Jr., Jeffrey D. Cordes and Ronald M. Wehtje, and
each of them, any one of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as such
person's true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agents (the "Attorneys-in-Fact")
with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in such
person's name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all
amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement,
which amendments may make such changes in this Registration Statement as either
Attorney-in-Fact deems appropriate, and any registration statement relating to
the same offering filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933
and requests to accelerate the effectiveness of such registration statements,
and to file each such amendment with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
such Attorneys-in-Fact and each of them, full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and
about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such Attorneys-in-
Fact or either of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in
their capacities and on the dates indicated.

        SIGNATURE                      TITLE                           DATE
        ---------                      -----                           ----

/s/ Charles M. Hansen, Jr.    Chairman of the Board,           December 11, 1996
- --------------------------    President and Chief Executive
Charles M. Hansen, Jr.        Officer  (Principal Executive
                              Officer)


/s/ Christopher N. Baker      President - Pillowtex Division   December 11, 1996
- --------------------------    and a Director
Christopher N. Baker

/s/ Jeffrey D. Cordes         Executive Vice President,        December 11, 1996
- --------------------------    Chief Financial Officer,
Jeffrey D. Cordes             Assistant Secretary and a
                              Director (Principal Financial
                              and Accounting Officer)

/s/ Scott E. Shimizu          Executive Vice President -       December 11, 1996
- --------------------------    Sales and Marketing and a
Scott E. Shimizu              Director

/s/ Paul G. Gillease          Director                         December 11, 1996
- --------------------------
Paul G. Gillease

/s/ William B. Madden         Director                         December 11, 1996
- --------------------------
William B. Madden

/s/ M. Joseph McHugh          Director                         December 11, 1996
- --------------------------

M. Joseph McHugh

/s/ Mary R. Silverthorne      Director                         December 11, 1996
- --------------------------
Mary R. Silverthorne



                                                                     SCHEDULE II

                        PILLOWTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
             Years ended December 30, 1995 and December 31, 1994 and 1993
                                (Dollars in thousands)





                                                      Additions
                                                 --------------------
                                     Balance at  Charged to  Charged                     Balance
                                     beginning   costs and   to other   Deductions      at end of
       Description                    of period    expenses   accounts  (write-offs)(1)   period
      -----------                    ----------  ----------  --------  ---------------  ---------
                                                                          
Allowance for doubtful accounts:
  Year ended December 30, 1995         $2,993         685     176(2)      1,599          2,195
                                       ------         ---     ---         -----          -----
                                       ------         ---     ---         -----          -----
  Year ended December 31, 1994         $1,773         390     962(3)        192          2,993
                                       ------         ---     ---         -----          -----
                                       ------         ---     ---         -----          -----
  Year ended December 31, 1993         $2,202          92     162(3)        683          1,773
                                       ------         ---     ---         -----          -----
                                       ------         ---     ---         -----          -----




(1)  Accounts written off, less recoveries of accounts previously written off.

(2) Adjustments to the allowance for doubtful accounts for acquired companies
    after the date of acquisition.

(3) Allowance for doubtful accounts for acquired companies as of the date of
    acquisition.


                                         S-1