<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MARK VII, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 28,
1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRELY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1996
<CASH>                                             414
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   65,135
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,693
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                70,697
<PP&E>                                           8,963
<DEPRECIATION>                                   4,665
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  81,602
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           53,153
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           490
<OTHER-SE>                                      27,334
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    81,602
<SALES>                                        408,486
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               408,486
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  400,887
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   682
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 215
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,383
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,101
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,282
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,282
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .89
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .89