<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000, AND SUCH IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000924902
<NAME> JPS AUTOMOTIVE INC
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                             831
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   32,459
<ALLOWANCES>                                       729
<INVENTORY>                                      5,819
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                45,044
<PP&E>                                          45,110
<DEPRECIATION>                                  17,167
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 197,650
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           67,684
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        35,000
<OTHER-SE>                                      85,109
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   197,650
<SALES>                                        174,033
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               174,033
<CGS>                                          156,334
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    7,448
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (403)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   400
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,610
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,044
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,164
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,880
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   (686)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,194
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0