<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MCRAE INDUSTRIES, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 3, 
1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-03-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-03-1996
<CASH>                                             581
<SECURITIES>                                        65
<RECEIVABLES>                                   10,606
<ALLOWANCES>                                       301
<INVENTORY>                                     12,640
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                25,068
<PP&E>                                           7,172
<DEPRECIATION>                                   7,323
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  39,561
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            8,115
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,739
<OTHER-SE>                                         705
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    39,561
<SALES>                                         48,724
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                48,724
<CGS>                                           34,470
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   11,045
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (503)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 133
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,712
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,369
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,282
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,282
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .84
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0