<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LADD FURNITURE, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 2, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-01-2000 <PERIOD-END> OCT-02-1999 <CASH> 137 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 96,113 <ALLOWANCES> 2,540 <INVENTORY> 106,400 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 212,259 <PP&E> 66,828 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 350,318 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 85,471 <BONDS> 95,365 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 2,350 <OTHER-SE> 154,611 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 350,318 <SALES> 460,810 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 460,810 <CGS> 369,767 <TOTAL-COSTS> 369,767 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 65,793 <LOSS-PROVISION> 835 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 5,570 <INCOME-PRETAX> 19,680 <INCOME-TAX> 7,282 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 12,398 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 12,398 <EPS-BASIC> 1.58 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.55