<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MARK VII, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 29, 1997
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-1997
<CASH>                                           7,680
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   64,243
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,736
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                75,771
<PP&E>                                           8,514
<DEPRECIATION>                                   4,119
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  86,265
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           54,275
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           497
<OTHER-SE>                                      85,768
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    86,265
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               145,914
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  127,379
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                16,408
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  43
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,127
<INCOME-TAX>                                       893
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,234
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,234
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0