<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED APRIL 1, 2000, AND SUCH IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000924902
<NAME> JPS AUTOMOTIVE, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-26-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-01-2000
<CASH>                                          22,103
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   34,358
<ALLOWANCES>                                       892
<INVENTORY>                                      6,168
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                77,296
<PP&E>                                          61,529
<DEPRECIATION>                                  14,497
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 234,321
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           19,147
<BONDS>                                         87,131
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        35,000
<OTHER-SE>                                      84,409
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   234,321
<SALES>                                         65,063
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                65,063
<CGS>                                           57,496
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    3,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (139)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,619
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,146
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,560
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,066
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,494
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,494
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0