<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR MARISA CHRISTINA,
INC.'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JUNE 30, 1997 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF EARNINGS FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD
ENDED JUNE 30, 1997.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                       1,145,362
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               13,728,820
<ALLOWANCES>                                 (157,866)
<INVENTORY>                                 10,384,734
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            29,438,022
<PP&E>                                       5,804,825
<DEPRECIATION>                             (3,024,570)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              65,605,053
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       10,147,441
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        85,868
<OTHER-SE>                                  55,093,744
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                65,605,053
<SALES>                                     45,170,387
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            45,170,387
<CGS>                                     (31,121,772)
<TOTAL-COSTS>                             (13,987,370)
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             (200,845)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           (184,741)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,594,725
<INCOME-TAX>                                 (629,900)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            964,825
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   964,825
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.12
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.12