<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR MICHAEL ANTHONY JEWELERS, INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-27-1997
<CASH>                                           4,944
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,061
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,600)
<INVENTORY>                                     20,271
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                46,573
<PP&E>                                          41,312
<DEPRECIATION>                                  21,988
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  67,471
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            9,092
<BONDS>                                         13,015
<COMMON>                                             8
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      44,288
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    67,471
<SALES>                                         50,224
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                50,224
<CGS>                                           41,511
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   41,511
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 9,848
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   344
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,292
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,771)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,081)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,690)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.22)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0