<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM ST. JOHN KNITS - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-03-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-28-1996
<CASH>                                          11,812
<SECURITIES>                                     6,502
<RECEIVABLES>                                   21,136
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     16,047
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                59,396
<PP&E>                                          56,070
<DEPRECIATION>                                  20,209
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  97,639
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           16,529
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           503
<OTHER-SE>                                      80,579
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    97,639
<SALES>                                         95,287
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                95,287
<CGS>                                           43,070
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   43,070
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                31,509
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 21,554
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,084
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,471
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,471
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .73
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .73