WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  


<ARTICLE>5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE  CONTAINS SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMAITON  EXTRACTED FROM WILLCOX &
GIBBS, INC. FORM 10-K FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>   1,000
       
                                                                 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                       YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                   DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                        DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                                                    1,325
<SECURITIES>                                                                  0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                            38,466
<ALLOWANCES>                                                              4,315
<INVENTORY>                                                              48,735
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                         93,424
<PP&E>                                                                    5,595
<DEPRECIATION>                                                            2,670
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                          140,501
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                    45,083
<BONDS>                                                                  84,742
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                         0
<PREFERRED>                                                                   0
<COMMON>                                                                  9,013
<OTHER-SE>                                                               (3,926)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                            140,501
<SALES>                                                                 180,332
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                        180,332
<CGS>                                                                   125,573
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                           125,573
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                              0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                          1,120
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                       12,142
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                          (4,705)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                             (1,434)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                      (3,271)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                          (1,557)
<CHANGES>                                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                                             (4,827)
<EPS-BASIC>                                                               (4.98)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                             (4.98)