<ARTICLE>                           5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE WARNACO GROUP, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 
APRIL 4, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                        1,000
       
                                          
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                             JAN-03-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                JAN-04-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                  APR-04-1998
<CASH>                                             13,905
<SECURITIES>                                            0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     392,833
<ALLOWANCES>                                       32,418
<INVENTORY>                                       606,281
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                1,021,293
<PP&E>                                            261,991
<DEPRECIATION>                                    108,492
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  1,906,092
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             395,934
<BONDS>                                           578,417
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                             101,016
<PREFERRED>                                             0
<COMMON>                                              685
<OTHER-SE>                                        817,185
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    1,906,092
<SALES>                                           419,208
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  419,208
<CGS>                                             270,855
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     270,855
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   93,363
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    2,800
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 13,633
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    38,557
<INCOME-TAX>                                       13,834
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                24,723
<DISCONTINUED>                                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                         0
<CHANGES>                                               0
<NET-INCOME>                                       24,723
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         .40
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         .39