<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FORM ANVIL
HOLDINGS' FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN ITS 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED AUGUST
2, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998              FEB-2-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-02-1997             FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-2-1997              FEB-2-1997
<CASH>                                          10,766                   1,863
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   26,530                  28,517
<ALLOWANCES>                                       700                     874
<INVENTORY>                                     30,784                  32,471
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                75,641                  68,208
<PP&E>                                          53,172                  50,811
<DEPRECIATION>                                  15,250                  11,981
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 144,434                 136,832
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           49,737                  38,740
<BONDS>                                        126,250                  49,344
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           29,196                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       2
<COMMON>                                            39                     103
<OTHER-SE>                                    (64,451)                  43,283
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   144,434                 136,832
<SALES>                                        112,033                 204,154
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               112,033                 204,154
<CGS>                                           85,873                 156,813
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   23,006                  22,636
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   353                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,246                   7,912
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,147)                  17,208
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,659)                   6,883
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,468)                  10,325
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (2,757)                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (5,245)                  10,325
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     4.71                   13.72
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0