<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR MICHAEL ANTHONY JEWELERS, INC. AND IS QUALILFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-25-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-27-1996
<CASH>                                           9,582
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   19,020
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,177)
<INVENTORY>                                     21,198
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                50,718
<PP&E>                                          36,784
<DEPRECIATION>                                  18,455
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  71,113
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            8,537
<BONDS>                                         16,187
<COMMON>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          8
<OTHER-SE>                                      45,343
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    71,113
<SALES>                                         27,706
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                           23,641
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    4,065
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (131)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    40
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 722
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,008)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (383)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (625)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.08)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0