CONTACT: Wendi Kopsick
         Jim Fingeroth
         Kekst and Company
         (212) 521-4800
                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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                                                                      EXHIBIT 99
                                                                                
                                                           
                JPS TEXTILE COMMENCES SOLICITATION OF BALLOTS
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                            FOR RESTRUCTURING PLAN
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GREENVILLE, SC, June 26, 1997 - JPS Textile Group announced today that it has 
commenced a solicitation for approval of its previously announced restructuring 
plan.

The restructuring plan is the product of several months of negotiations and is
based on an agreement in principle, announced on May 16, 1997, between the
Company and an unofficial committee of bondholders, representing over 60% of the
Company's outstanding public debt. A disclosure statement and ballots have been
mailed to all securityholders of record as of June 20, 1997, who are entitled to
vote on the restructuring plan. The disclosure statement provides relevant
information about the Company and includes both a description and a copy of the
restructuring plan.

In order for their votes to be counted, holders of the Company's public 
securities must return their ballots no later than July 28, 1997.  Requests for 
copies of the disclosure statement should be directed to the Company's voting 
agent, The Altman Group, at (212) 681-9600.

Jerry E. Hunter, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented,  
"The mailing of the disclosure statement and ballots to our public 
securityholders brings us a step closer to creating a new capital structure that
will position JPS Textile for long-term profitability and growth.  By enabling 
us to eliminate the public debt incurred at the time of the 1988 leveraged 
buyout, our plan will strengthen the Company's balance sheet significantly and 
provide us with the financial resources and flexibility to make strategic 
capital investments in our operating businesses to enhance competitiveness and, 
in turn, our long-term prospects."

 
Under the proposed plan, JPS Textile will convert 100% of its long-term debt to 
equity.  The restructuring will take place at the holding company level only and
will not effect the Company's operating subsidiaries,  JPS Converter & 
Industrial Corp. and JPS Elastomerics Corp.

The plan provides for the restructuring to be effected through a voluntary 
"prepackaged" chapter 11 case, which the Company would file shortly after July 
28, 1997, the deadline for returning ballots on the plan.  JPS Textile's 
operating subsidiaries will not file for chapter 11 and will continue to conduct
business as usual.  In addition, the plan provides for a new revolving credit 
facility for JPS Textile's operating subsidiaries, with provisions expected to 
be no less favorable than those of the existing facility, to ensure significant 
working capital for JPS Textile's operating businesses.

JPS Textile, with consolidated annual revenues of approximately $450 million, is
one of the largest domestic manufacturers of textile and textile related 
products for the apparel fabric, industrial and home fashion markets.