<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements contained in the body of the accompanying Registration
Statement and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000896421
<NAME> STEEL HEDDLE MFG. CO.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-03-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-26-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                             335
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,589
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (161)
<INVENTORY>                                     18,271
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                34,428
<PP&E>                                          46,329
<DEPRECIATION>                                  (8,715)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 193,493
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           19,262
<BONDS>                                        128,705
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      22,870
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   193,493
<SALES>                                         36,140
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                36,140
<CGS>                                           27,531
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   27,531
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,910
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,841
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (5,390)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (1,517)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (3,873)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (3,873)
<EPS-BASIC>                                        0.0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      0.0