<ARTICLE>     5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
WILLCOX & GIBBS, INC. FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000

                                          
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                     12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                            DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                 DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                             1,135
<SECURITIES>                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     30,671
<ALLOWANCES>                                       5,451
<INVENTORY>                                       45,289
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  86,980
<PP&E>                                             3,755
<DEPRECIATION>                                     1,349
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   120,910
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            140,640
<BONDS>                                           84,351
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                            0
<COMMON>                                          10,337
<OTHER-SE>                                       (32,142)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     120,910
<SALES>                                          173,453
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 173,453
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    123,235
<CGS>                                            123,235
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   1,812
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                13,016
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (27,665)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       2,320
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (29,985)
<DISCONTINUED>                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0
<CHANGES>                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (29,985)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (29.74)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (29.74)