<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MCRAE INDUSTRIES FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 1,
1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-01-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-03-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-01-1998
<CASH>                                           5,766
<SECURITIES>                                        63
<RECEIVABLES>                                   10,035
<ALLOWANCES>                                       567
<INVENTORY>                                     11,468
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                27,793
<PP&E>                                          15,480
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,120
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  40,457
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            6,385
<BONDS>                                          5,594
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,769
<OTHER-SE>                                      25,015
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    40,457
<SALES>                                         60,087
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                60,087
<CGS>                                           44,587
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   56,982
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (759)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 513
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,864
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,554
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,265
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,265
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .82