<ARTICLE>                           5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE WARNACO GROUP, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                        1,000

                                               
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                        3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-02-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                             226,976
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      335,653
<ALLOWANCES>                                        89,888
<INVENTORY>                                        550,567
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,065,447
<PP&E>                                             530,437
<DEPRECIATION>                                     194,595
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   2,835,886
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              580,236
<BONDS>                                          1,843,473
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              103,263
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                               654
<OTHER-SE>                                         308,260
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     2,835,886
<SALES>                                          1,703,910
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,703,910
<CGS>                                            1,359,570
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,359,570
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   474,737
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 112,792
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (200,407)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       (70,073)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (130,334)
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (130,334)
<EPS-BASIC>                                        (2.71)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        (2.71)