<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GENESCO, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MAY 2, 1998 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-02-1998
<CASH>                                           3,734
<SECURITIES>                                   123,968
<RECEIVABLES>                                   18,784
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,370
<INVENTORY>                                    111,089
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               279,421
<PP&E>                                          99,481
<DEPRECIATION>                                  49,539
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 341,539
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          140,872
<BONDS>                                        103,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      7,945
<COMMON>                                        26,477 
<OTHER-SE>                                      41,025
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   341,539
<SALES>                                        133,808
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               133,808
<CGS>                                           75,987
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   75,987
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   766
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,889
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,507
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (281)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,788
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,788
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .14
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .13