<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GENESCO INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 1, 1997
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-01-1997
<CASH>                                           5,512
<SECURITIES>                                     7,655
<RECEIVABLES>                                   40,969
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,959
<INVENTORY>                                    128,641
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               188,010
<PP&E>                                         103,606
<DEPRECIATION>                                  59,584
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 240,381
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           61,442
<BONDS>                                         75,050
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      7,938
<COMMON>                                        26,243
<OTHER-SE>                                      46,428
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   240,381
<SALES>                                        381,255
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               381,255
<CGS>                                          223,596
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  223,596
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,018
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,614
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,953
<INCOME-TAX>                                       116
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,837
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   (169)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,668
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .57