<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-02-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-04-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-04-1998<F1>
<CASH>                                          18,203
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   25,281
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     36,812
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                80,881
<PP&E>                                          72,771
<DEPRECIATION>                                  14,495
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 251,159
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           47,754
<BONDS>                                        155,994
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         9,000
<OTHER-SE>                                      11,743
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   251,159
<SALES>                                         60,418
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                60,418
<CGS>                                           45,215
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   45,215
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,425
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,508
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,270
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,550
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,791
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,791
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>THE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 4, 1998 REPRESENT
THE RESULTS OF CLARK-SCHWEBEL HOLDINGS, INC. ("COMPANY") FOR THE PERIOD OF
JANUARY 4, 1998 THROUGH APRIL 4, 1998 (SUCCESSOR COMPANY). A CHANGE IN
OWNERSHIP RESULTED FROM A LEVERAGED BUYOUT ON APRIL 17, 1996, AND THE
TRANSACTION RESULTED IN A NEW BASIS OF ACCOUNTING FOR THE COMPANY. THEREFORE,
THE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 4, 1998 ARE NOT
FULLY COMPARABLE TO PRECEDING REPORTING PERIODS. THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY
FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM THE COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</FN>