<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0001037038 <NAME> POLO RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-2001 <PERIOD-END> JUL-01-2000 <CASH> 139,907 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 187,682 <ALLOWANCES> 15,619 <INVENTORY> 446,624 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 848,040 <PP&E> 624,794 <DEPRECIATION> 249,723 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,609,039 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 370,854 <BONDS> 263,368 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 1,005 <OTHER-SE> 782,149 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,609,039 <SALES> 433,727 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 487,297 <CGS> 234,750 <TOTAL-COSTS> 234,750 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 206,400 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6,505 <INCOME-PRETAX> 39,642 <INCOME-TAX> 15,659 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 23,983 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 23,983 <EPS-BASIC> 0.25 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.25