<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RUSSELL CORPORATION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 1,
2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-01-2000
<CASH>                                           8,714
<SECURITIES>                                     1,013
<RECEIVABLES>                                  278,729
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (10,469)
<INVENTORY>                                    419,381
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               732,650
<PP&E>                                       1,208,787
<DEPRECIATION>                                (751,750)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,258,341
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          214,548
<BONDS>                                        452,280
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           414
<OTHER-SE>                                     525,024
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,258,341
<SALES>                                        891,353
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               891,353
<CGS>                                          648,197
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  167,870
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                36,457
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,233
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              24,306
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,290
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,825
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,465
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,465
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.11