<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF DAN RIVER INC. AS OF SEPTEMBER 27, 1997
AND THE RELATED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 27,1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-27-1997
<CASH>                                           1,416
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   69,421
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    100,722
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               180,982
<PP&E>                                         314,476
<DEPRECIATION>                                 108,630
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 393,634
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           64,371
<BONDS>                                        206,522
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           13,389
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           141
<OTHER-SE>                                      81,417
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   393,634
<SALES>                                        344,189
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               344,189
<CGS>                                          268,739
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  276,614
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,177
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,917
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,594
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,323
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,323
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0