<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE MARK
VII, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1996
AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 28, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-28-1996
<CASH>                                             959
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   75,008
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,693
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                82,988
<PP&E>                                           8,732
<DEPRECIATION>                                   4,214
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  93,597
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           62,958
<BONDS>                                            601
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           495
<OTHER-SE>                                      29,543
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    93,597
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               563,913
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  489,292
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                64,403
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 266
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,952
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,180
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,772
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,772
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.20