<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE MARK
VII, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JULY 4, 1998
AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JULY 4, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000795425
<NAME> MARK VII, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-02-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-04-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-04-1998
<CASH>                                             679
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   84,669
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,443
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                86,672
<PP&E>                                          14,334
<DEPRECIATION>                                   5,203
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 104,054
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           67,150
<BONDS>                                            817
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           501
<OTHER-SE>                                      35,586
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   104,054
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               352,958
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  311,099
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                34,647
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  18
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  7,194
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,950
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,244
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,244
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .45