<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF RUSSELL CORPORATION FOR THE 9 MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 4,
1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-02-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-04-1998
<CASH>                                           9,142
<SECURITIES>                                       632
<RECEIVABLES>                                  300,102
<ALLOWANCES>                                    12,936
<INVENTORY>                                    396,961
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               734,693
<PP&E>                                       1,222,640
<DEPRECIATION>                                 700,140
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,301,664
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          251,321
<BONDS>                                        328,393
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           414
<OTHER-SE>                                     637,686
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,301,664
<SALES>                                        905,261
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               905,261
<CGS>                                          663,244
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  663,244
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               212,032
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                15,911
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              21,590
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (7,516)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (1,769)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (5,747)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (5,747)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.16)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.16)