<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GENESCO, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MAY 3, 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-03-1997
<CASH>                                           4,683
<SECURITIES>                                    21,738
<RECEIVABLES>                                   31,071
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,245
<INVENTORY>                                    108,191
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               169,749
<PP&E>                                         100,969
<DEPRECIATION>                                  63,099
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 216,531
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           52,910
<BONDS>                                         75,167
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      7,945 
<COMMON>                                        25,503
<OTHER-SE>                                      31,960
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   216,531
<SALES>                                        114,185
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               114,185
<CGS>                                           66,313
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   66,313
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,515
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,545
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,199
<INCOME-TAX>                                        17
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,182
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,182
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .08
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .08