<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE MARK
VII, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 3,
1998 AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF OCTOBER 3, 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> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-02-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-04-1998
<PERIOD-END> OCT-03-1998
<CASH> 83
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 93,612
<ALLOWANCES> 3,385
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 94,720
<PP&E> 15,040
<DEPRECIATION> 5,638
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 112,014
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 72,830
<BONDS> 757
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0
<PREFERRED> 0
<COMMON> 502
<OTHER-SE> 37,925
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 112,014
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 537,529
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 473,242
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 52,626
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 25
<INCOME-PRETAX> 11,636
<INCOME-TAX> 4,771
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 6,865
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 6,865
<EPS-PRIMARY> .77
<EPS-DILUTED> .73