<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000723603 <NAME> Culp, Inc. <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-27-1997 <PERIOD-START> APR-29-1996 <PERIOD-END> APR-27-1997 <CASH> 830 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 58,568 <ALLOWANCES> (1,877) <INVENTORY> 53,463 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 5,450 <PP&E> 173,565 <DEPRECIATION> (82,334) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 243,952 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 46,657 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 630 <OTHER-SE> 110,159 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 243,952 <SALES> 398,879 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 398,879 <CGS> 326,394 <TOTAL-COSTS> 326,394 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 45,058 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,671 <INCOME-PRETAX> 21,515 <INCOME-TAX> 7,745 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 0 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 13,770 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.18 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.18