<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM MARISA CHRISTINA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JUNE 30, 1996 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
EARNINGS FOR THE SIX MONTHS THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 1996.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                       1,054,082
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               11,446,802
<ALLOWANCES>                                   111,820
<INVENTORY>                                 10,461,592
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            27,905,355
<PP&E>                                       5,692,313
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,902,839
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              65,786,210
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       14,239,868
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        85,868
<OTHER-SE>                                  51,332,474
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                65,786,210
<SALES>                                     49,648,695
<CGS>                                       32,056,910
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            49,648,695
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               13,741,351
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               160,037
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             356,152
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              4,252,561
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,626,815
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          2,625,746
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 2,625,746
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.31