<ARTICLE>                           5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE WARNACO GROUP, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
OCTOBER 3, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                        1,000
       
                                          
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                             JAN-03-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                JAN-04-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                  OCT-03-1998
<CASH>                                             17,189
<SECURITIES>                                            0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     481,178
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (21,481)
<INVENTORY>                                       625,545
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                1,142,884
<PP&E>                                            333,631
<DEPRECIATION>                                   (120,717)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  2,238,337
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             637,018
<BONDS>                                           627,030
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                             101,566
<PREFERRED>                                             0
<COMMON>                                              692
<OTHER-SE>                                        825,152
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    2,238,337
<SALES>                                         1,402,207
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                1,402,207
<CGS>                                             915,993
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   1,209,866
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                        0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    2,655
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 43,856
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   145,830
<INCOME-TAX>                                       51,478
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                94,352
<DISCONTINUED>                                          0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                         0
<CHANGES>                                               0
<NET-INCOME>                                       94,352
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        1.52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        1.48