<ARTICLE>             5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE WARNACO GROUP, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED APRIL 5,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>          1,000
       
                                     
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                       JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-START>                          JAN-05-1997
<PERIOD-END>                            APR-05-1997
<CASH>                                        9,582
<SECURITIES>                                      0
<RECEIVABLES>                               243,502
<ALLOWANCES>                                  4,629
<INVENTORY>                                 432,474
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            716,452
<PP&E>                                      216,631
<DEPRECIATION>                               91,577
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                            1,224,795
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       519,353
<BONDS>                                     209,702
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                             0
<PREFERRED>                                       0
<COMMON>                                        524
<OTHER-SE>                                  483,692
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>              1,224,795
<SALES>                                     251,526
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            251,526
<CGS>                                       158,784
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               158,784
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             53,032
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                182
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            9,813
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              29,715
<INCOME-TAX>                                 11,589
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          18,126
<DISCONTINUED>                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   0
<CHANGES>                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                 18,126
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   .34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   .34