<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ANVIL
HOLDINGS' FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN ITS FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
OCTOBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                  1,000

       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                        JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                           FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                             OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                           827
<SECURITIES>                                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 23,851
<ALLOWANCES>                                     503
<INVENTORY>                                   53,695
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              87,176
<PP&E>                                        61,030
<DEPRECIATION>                                22,871
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               154,546
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         33,052
<BONDS>                                      126,738
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                         34,883
<PREFERRED>                                        0
<COMMON>                                          39
<OTHER-SE>                                   (71,542)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 154,546
<SALES>                                      170,475
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             170,475
<CGS>                                        140,026
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 32,778
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 729
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            13,726
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (3,058)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (1,223)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (1,835)
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0
<CHANGES>                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (1,835)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   8.65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   8.65