SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

          Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
                     Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.  )

Filed by the Registrant (X)
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ( )

Check the appropriate box:


( )  Preliminary Proxy Statement
( )  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted
     by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
(X)  Definitive Proxy Statement
( )  Definitive Additional Materials
( )  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12


                                 Dan River Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than Registrant)

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                                                             Dan River Inc. Logo







                                 March 28, 2002



To our shareholders:

     We cordially invite you to attend our annual meeting of shareholders, which
is to be held on April 30, 2002 at the Riverview Inn in Danville,  Virginia. The
meeting will start at 10 a.m. EDT.

     On the ballot at this year's annual  meeting are our proposals (1) to elect
one director to our board of directors and (2) to approve proposed amendments to
our amended and restated  articles of  incorporation  that will effect a reverse
split of our issued and  outstanding  common  stock,  which will combine a whole
number of outstanding shares of common stock between two and five into one share
of common stock, depending upon a determination by our board of directors that a
reverse  stock  split is in our best  interests  and the best  interests  of our
shareholders, and authorizing the board of directors to file one such amendment.

     As a shareholder,  your vote is important. We hope that you will attend the
annual meeting.  In the meantime,  please  complete,  sign and return your proxy
card in the enclosed envelope,  or follow the other voting procedures  described
in this proxy  statement  as soon as possible to ensure that your shares will be
represented and voted at the meeting. If you attend the annual meeting,  you may
vote your shares in person even though you have  previously  signed and returned
your proxy.

     On behalf of your  board of  directors,  thank you for your  support of and
interest in Dan River.

                                         Sincerely,

                                         /s/ Joseph L. Lanier, Jr.

                                         Joseph L. Lanier, Jr.
                                         Chairman of the Board and
                                         Chief Executive Officer




                                                             Dan River Inc. Logo



                               ------------------

                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                          To Be Held on April 30, 2002
                               ------------------

             TIME:     10:00 a.m., EDT on April 30, 2002

            PLACE:     Riverview Inn
                       Danville, Virginia

ITEMS OF BUSINESS:     (1)   To elect one director.

                       (2)   To approve  proposed  amendments to our amended and
                             restated articles of incorporation that will effect
                             a reverse split of our issued and outstanding Class
                             A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, which will
                             combine  a whole  number of  outstanding  shares of
                             Common Stock between two and five into one share of
                             Common Stock, depending upon a determination by our
                             board of directors that a reverse stock split is in
                             our best  interests  and the best  interests of our
                             shareholders,   and   authorizing   the   board  of
                             directors to file one such amendment.

                       (3)   To transact any other  business that properly comes
                             before  the  meeting  or  any  adjournment  of  the
                             meeting.

     WHO MAY VOTE:     You can vote if you were a holder of Class A Common Stock
                       or Class B Common Stock of record on March 1, 2002.

    ANNUAL REPORT:     A copy of our Annual Report is enclosed.

   DATE OF NOTICE:     March 28, 2002.

  DATE OF MAILING:     This  notice  and the proxy  statement  are  first  being
                       mailed to shareholders on or about March 28, 2002.





                                 DAN RIVER INC.
                               2291 Memorial Drive
                            Danville, Virginia 24541

                               ------------------

                                 PROXY STATEMENT
                       FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                          TO BE HELD ON APRIL 30, 2002
                               ------------------

                                ABOUT THE MEETING

Who is furnishing this proxy statement?

     This proxy statement is being furnished to our shareholders by our board of
directors  in  connection  with the  solicitation  of  proxies  by the  board of
directors.  The proxies will be used at our annual meeting of shareholders to be
held on April 30, 2002.


What am I voting on?

     You will be voting on the following:

    o   To elect one director,
    o   To approve proposed  amendments to our amended and restated  articles of
        incorporation  that  will  effect  a  reverse  split of our  issued  and
        outstanding  Class A Common Stock and Class B Common  Stock,  which will
        combine a whole number of outstanding shares of Common Stock between two
        and five into one share of Common Stock,  depending upon a determination
        by our  board of  directors  that a reverse  stock  split is in our best
        interests and the best interests of our  shareholders,  and  authorizing
        the board of directors to file one such amendment, and
    o   Any other business that properly comes before the annual meeting.

     You may not cumulate your votes for any matter being voted on at the annual
meeting and you are not entitled to appraisal or dissenters' rights.


Who can vote?

     You may vote if you owned Class A Common  Stock or Class B Common  Stock as
of the close of  business  on March 1,  2002.  As of March 1,  2002,  there were
20,324,439 shares of Class A Common Stock and 2,062,070 shares of Class B Common
Stock outstanding and eligible to vote at the annual meeting.


How do I vote?

     You may vote:

    o   over the internet at the address shown on your proxy card,
    o   by telephone through the number shown on your proxy card,
    o   by completing, signing and returning the enclosed proxy card, or
    o   by attending the meeting and voting in person.

If you hold your  shares in the name of a bank or broker,  the  availability  of
telephone and internet voting depends on their voting  processes.  Please follow
the directions on your proxy card carefully.


                                       1


Can I vote at the meeting?

     You may vote your  shares at the  meeting if you attend in person.  Even if
you plan to be present at the meeting,  we encourage  you to vote your shares by
proxy. You may vote your proxy via the internet, by telephone or by mail.


What if my shares are registered in more than one person's name?

     If you own shares that are  registered in the name of more than one person,
each  person  should  sign the  enclosed  proxy.  If the  proxy is  signed by an
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian or by any other person in a
representative  capacity,  the full title of the person signing the proxy should
be given and a certificate  should be furnished  showing evidence of appointment
of such person in a representative capacity.


What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card?

     It means you have multiple accounts with brokers and/or our transfer agent.
Please vote all of these  shares.  We  recommend  that you  contact  your broker
and/or our transfer  agent to consolidate as many accounts as possible under the
same name and address.  Our transfer agent is EquiServe Trust Company,  P.O. Box
43012, Providence, RI 02940-3012 and may be reached at (800) 633-4236.


What if I return my proxy card but do not provide voting instructions?

     If you sign and return  your proxy but do not  include  instructions,  your
proxy will be voted:

    o   FOR the election of Richard L. Williams; and
    o   FOR the  approval of  proposed  amendments  to our amended and  restated
        articles of incorporation that will effect a reverse split of our issued
        and  outstanding  Class A Common Stock and Class B Common  Stock,  which
        will combine a whole number of  outstanding  shares between two and five
        of each of the Class A Common  Stock and Class B Common  Stock  into one
        share of Class A Common  Stock and Class B Common  Stock,  respectively,
        depending upon a determination  by our board of directors that a reverse
        stock  split is in our best  interests  and the  best  interests  of our
        shareholders,  and  authorizing  the board of directors to file one such
        amendment.


Can I change my mind after I vote?

     You may change your vote at any time before the polls close at the meeting.
You may do this by:

    o   voting again by telephone or over the internet prior to 11:59 p.m., EDT,
        on April 29, 2002,
    o   giving written notice to the Secretary of our company,
    o   delivering a later-dated proxy, or
    o   voting in person at the annual meeting.


How many votes am I entitled to?

     If you own  Class A Common  Stock,  you are  entitled  to one vote for each
share you own. If you own Class B Common  Stock,  you are entitled to 4.39 votes
for each share you own. Holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock
will vote  together as a single  voting  group for all matters to be voted on at
the annual  meeting.  Sometimes in this proxy  statement we refer to the Class A
Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock collectively as the Common Stock.


                                       2


How many votes must be present to hold the meeting?

     In order for us to conduct the annual  meeting the holders of a majority of
the votes of the Common Stock outstanding as of March 1, 2002 must be present at
the annual meeting. This is referred to as a quorum. Your shares will be counted
as present at the meeting if you:

    o   vote via the internet or by telephone,
    o   return a properly  executed  proxy  (even if you do not  provide  voting
        instructions), or
    o   attend the annual meeting and vote in person.


How many votes are needed to elect directors?

     The nominee  receiving the highest  number of "yes" votes will be elected a
director.  This  number is called a  plurality.  If you do not vote in person or
sign and return a proxy,  your shares will not be counted as "yes" votes or "no"
votes at the annual meeting.


How many votes are needed to approve the proposed  amendments to the amended and
restated articles of incorporation?

     The  proposed  amendments  must be  approved  by a  majority  of the  votes
entitled to be cast on the amendments.


How many votes are needed for other matters?

     To approve any other matter that properly comes before the annual  meeting,
the "yes"  votes  cast in favor of the  matter  must  exceed the "no" votes cast
against the matter.


Will my shares be voted if I do not provide my proxy?

     Your shares may be voted under  certain  circumstances  if they are held in
the name of a brokerage  firm.  Brokerage firms have the authority under the New
York Stock Exchange rules to vote customers' unvoted shares on certain "routine"
matters,  including the election of directors.  If you hold your shares directly
in your own  name,  they will not be voted if you do not  provide a proxy.  If a
brokerage  firm signs and  returns a proxy on your  behalf that does not contain
voting  instructions,  your shares will be counted as present at the meeting for
quorum  purposes,  but will not be counted  as "yes"  votes or "no" votes on any
matter voted on at the annual meeting.  They will have the same effect as a vote
against the proposed amendments. These are referred to as broker non-votes.


                              ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
                                    (Item 1)

How many directors serve on the board of directors?

     Our board of directors  currently has 5 members.  The directors are divided
into three  classes  with the  directors  in each class  serving a term of three
years.   Directors  for  each  class  are  elected  at  the  annual  meeting  of
shareholders held in the year in which the term for their class expires.  At the
annual  meeting on April 30, 2002,  one nominee for director is to be elected to
serve until the annual  meeting in 2005,  or until his  successor is elected and
qualified.


Who is the nominee this year?

     The nominee is Mr.  Richard L.  Williams.  His current  term expires at the
annual meeting.


                                       3


What if the nominee is unwilling to serve?

     We do not believe that Mr. Williams will be unwilling or unable to serve as
a director. However, if at the time of the annual meeting he should be unwilling
or  unable  to  serve,  proxies  will be voted as  recommended  by the  board of
directors either:

    o   to elect a substitute nominee recommended by the board,
    o   to allow the vacancy  created to remain open until  filled by the board,
        or
    o   to reduce the number of directors for the ensuing year.

     In no event, however, can a proxy be voted to elect more than one director.


What is the recommendation of the board of directors?

     The board of directors  recommends  a vote FOR Richard L.  Williams to hold
office until the annual meeting of  shareholders in 2005, or until his successor
is elected and qualified.  Proxies returned without  instructions  will be voted
for Mr. Williams.


What is the background of this year's nominee?

     Richard  L.  Williams,  68,  has been a director  and  president  and chief
operating officer of our company or our predecessor since 1989.


Who are the directors continuing in office until 2003?

     Edward J. Lill, 69, has been a director of our company since 1997. Mr. Lill
is presently a consultant to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company with respect to
accounting  and other related  matters.  Mr. Lill was a senior  partner and vice
chairman  of the  accounting  firm,  Deloitte  &  Touche,  from  1988  until his
retirement in 1995.  Mr. Lill also serves as a director of MacKenzie  Investment
Management Inc., which is a management investment company.

     John F.  Maypole,  62, has been a director of our company  since 1992.  Mr.
Maypole is a consultant to Metropolitan  Life Insurance Company and has over the
past five years  served as a  consultant  to and/or  director  of various  other
corporations and providers of financial  services.  Mr. Maypole also serves as a
director of  Massachusetts  Mutual Life Insurance  Company and Church and Dwight
Co., Inc., a household consumer product and specialty chemical company.


Who are the directors continuing in office until 2004?

     Donald J. Keller,  70, has been a director of our company  since 1998.  Mr.
Keller was non-executive chairman of Vlasic Foods, International from 1998 until
2001. From 1993 until 1998 he was chairman of B.  Manischewitz  Company,  a food
manufacturer, and was co-chief executive officer of B. Manischewitz Company from
1992 until 1993.  From 1995 until 1997 he was  chairman of the board of Prestone
Products Corporation, an automotive chemicals manufacturer.

     Joseph L. Lanier,  Jr., 70, has been chairman of the board of directors and
chief executive officer of our company or our predecessor since 1989. Mr. Lanier
is also a director of SunTrust  Banks,  Inc.,  a bank holding  company,  Flowers
Industries,  Inc., a food company, Torchmark Corporation,  an insurance company,
and Dimon Incorporated, a tobacco products company.


How often did the board of directors meet during fiscal 2001?

     The board of directors  met eight times during  fiscal 2001.  Each director
attended at least 75% of all meetings of the board of directors  and  committees
on which he served in fiscal 2001.


                                       4


What committees has the board of directors established?

     The board of directors  has  established  a  compensation  committee and an
audit committee. The full board of directors acts as a nominating committee.

     Compensation  Committee.  Messrs. Maypole, Keller and Lill serve as members
of the compensation committee, and Mr. Maypole is the chairman. The compensation
committee is responsible for:

    o   reviewing  annually and  approving our  compensation  strategy to ensure
        that  our  executive   compensation   strategy   supports  our  business
        objectives as well as shareholder interests,

    o   approving  salary,  bonuses  and  other  compensation  of our  executive
        officers and key management personnel,

    o   administering our option and benefit plans, and

    o   considering issues pertaining to succession  planning upon retirement or
        termination of the employment of senior managers.

     The compensation committee held two meetings in fiscal 2001.

     Audit Committee.  Messrs.  Lill, Keller and Maypole serve as members of the
audit  committee,  and Mr. Lill is Chairman.  The members of the audit committee
are  independent  as  defined in the New York Stock  Exchange  Rules.  The audit
committee is responsible for:

    o   recommending independent auditors,
    o   reviewing  with the  independent  auditors  the scope and results of the
        audit engagement,
    o   monitoring our financial policies and control procedures,
    o   reviewing  with our  independent  auditors and  management the scope and
        results of their respective audits,
    o   discussing with management and our independent  auditors the interim and
        annual financial statements that we file with the SEC, and
    o   reviewing  and  monitoring  the  provision of non-audit  services by our
        auditors.

The audit committee held two meetings in fiscal 2001.


How are directors compensated?

     Cash  Compensation.  Directors who are not employees of our company receive
an annual  retainer  of  $25,000  and  $1,000  per board and  committee  meeting
attended.  Directors  who are also  employees of our company are not  separately
compensated for their service as directors.

     Options  and  Restricted  Stock.  In fiscal  2001,  the board of  directors
granted to each of Messrs.  Keller,  Lill and Maypole 2,500 shares of restricted
Class A Common Stock and  non-qualified  options to purchase an additional 2,500
shares of Class A Common  Stock  pursuant to the Dan River Inc.  2000  Long-Term
Incentive  Plan,  which  we  refer  to as  the  Long-Term  Incentive  Plan.  The
restricted stock vests in three equal increments on March 1, 2002, 2003 and 2004
(or 100% upon a change of control).  The options vest and become  exercisable in
three equal  increments  on  December  31,  2001,  2002 and 2003 (or 100% upon a
change of control), have an exercise price of $3.07 per share and expire May 11,
2011.


                                       5


         SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     The table below shows,  as of March 1, 2002,  how many shares of each class
of our Common Stock were  beneficially  owned by our directors,  named executive
officers,  owners  of 5% or more of our  Common  Stock  and  our  directors  and
executive   officers  as  a  group.  Under  the  rules  of  the  SEC,  a  person
"beneficially owns" securities if that person has or shares the power to vote or
dispose of the securities.  The person also "beneficially owns" securities which
that person has the right to purchase  within 60 days.  Under these rules,  more
than one person may be deemed to  beneficially  own the same  securities,  and a
person may be deemed to  beneficially  own  securities in which he or she has no
financial  interest.  Except as shown in the table, the shareholders named below
have the sole power to vote or dispose of the shares shown as beneficially owned
by them.


                                                 Beneficial Ownership of          Beneficial Ownership of          Percentage
                                                 Class A Common Stock(1)            Class B Common Stock               Of
                                                 -----------------------            --------------------            Combined
                                               Number of          Percent of      Number of        Percent of        Voting
                                                Shares             Class(2)         Shares            Class         Power(2)
                                                ------             --------         ------            -----         --------
                                                                                                
Donald J. Keller.......................        55,000(11)              *              --               --               *
Joseph L. Lanier, Jr.(3)(4)............     2,404,420(7)(8)(11)     10.1        2,062,070(8)(9)       100.0%         30.4
Edward J. Lill.........................        27,000(11)              *              --               --               *
John F. Maypole........................        90,000(11)              *              --               --               *
Richard L. Williams(3)(5)..............       740,231(11)            3.1          465,981(9)         22.6             7.5
Barry F. Shea(3)(6)....................       271,787(11)            1.1          174,912(9)          8.5             2.8
Gregory R. Boozer......................        98,125(11)              *              --               --               *
Harry L. Goodrich......................        77,750(11)              *              --               --               *
Mezzanine Investment Limited
   Partnership-BDR(10).................     6,708,723               28.1              --               --            21.7
Dimensional Fund Advisors,
   Inc.(12)............................     1,753,500                7.4              --               --             5.7
T. Rowe Price Associates,
   Inc.(13)............................     2,318,100                9.7              --               --             7.5
All executive officers and directors
   as a group (12 Persons).............     3,226,803(7)(11)        13.5        2,062,070(8)(9)     100.0            33.1
- --------------


  * Less than 1%.
  (1)  Under our articles of  incorporation,  shares of Class B Common Stock are
       convertible  into  shares  of Class A Common  Stock on a  share-for-share
       basis at any time subject to compliance  with certain first offer rights.
       As a  result,  shares  of Class A  Common  Stock  shown  in the  table as
       beneficially  owned by any  individual  include  shares of Class A Common
       Stock issuable upon conversion of Class B Common Stock beneficially owned
       by such individual.
  (2)  Based on an aggregate of 20,371,939 shares of Class A Common Stock issued
       and outstanding as of March 1, 2002,  including  restricted stock,  plus,
       for each  individual,

        o the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon  conversion
          of  shares  of  Class  B  Common  Stock  beneficially  owned  by  such
          individual; and
        o the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
          outstanding  stock options which are or will become  exercisable prior
          to April 30, 2002.

  (3) The business address of Messrs. Lanier, Williams and Shea is 2291 Memorial
      Drive, Danville, Virginia 24541.

  (4) Mr. Lanier disclaims  beneficial  ownership of 96,553 shares that are held
      by his wife, Mrs. Ann M. Lanier.

  (5) Mr. Williams disclaims beneficial ownership of 96,250 shares that are held
      by his wife, Mrs. Suzanne S. Williams.

  (6) Mr. Shea disclaims  beneficial ownership of 60,000 shares that are held by
      his wife, Mrs. Nellie C. Shea.

  (7) Includes:

        o 252,180  shares of Class A Common Stock  issuable  upon  conversion of
          shares of Class B Common  Stock  beneficially  owned by Mr.  Joseph L.
          Lanier, Jr.,
        o 65,553  shares of Class A Common Stock  issuable  upon  conversion  of
          shares  of  Class B Common  Stock  beneficially  owned by Mrs.  Ann M.
          Lanier,

                                       6


        o 551,722  shares of Class A Common Stock  issuable  upon  conversion of
          shares  of  Class B Common  Stock  beneficially  owned  by Mr.  Joseph
          Lanier, III,
        o 551,722  shares of Class A Common Stock  issuable  upon  conversion of
          shares  of  Class B Common  Stock  beneficially  owned by Mrs.  Ann L.
          Jackson,
        o 96,250  shares of Class A Common Stock  issuable  upon  conversion  of
          shares of Class B Common Stock  beneficially  owned by Mrs. Suzanne S.
          Williams,
        o 369,731  shares of Class A Common Stock  issuable  upon  conversion of
          shares of Class B Common Stock  beneficially  owned by Mr.  Richard L.
          Williams,
        o 124,912  shares of Class A Common Stock  issuable  upon  conversion of
          shares  of Class B Common  Stock  beneficially  owned by Mr.  Barry F.
          Shea, and
        o 50,000  shares of Class A Common Stock  issuable  upon  conversion  of
          shares of Class B Common Stock  beneficially  owned by Mrs.  Nellie C.
          Shea.

      We refer to the beneficial  owners listed in the preceding  bullets as the
      Senior  Management  Group.  With respect to the shares described above Mr.
      Lanier has sole voting power  pursuant to the terms of a Voting  Agreement
      dated  November 20, 1997 between the Company and the members of the Senior
      Management Group, as amended, which we refer to as the Voting Agreement.

  (8) Includes shares of Class B Common Stock  beneficially owned by the members
      of the Senior Management Group with respect to which Mr. Joseph L. Lanier,
      Jr. has sole voting power pursuant to the Voting Agreement. See Footnote 7
      above.

  (9) Joseph L.  Lanier,  Jr. has sole voting power with respect to these shares
      pursuant to the terms of the Voting Agreement.

  (10) Reflects shares of Class A Common Stock  beneficially  owned by Mezzanine
       Investment  Limited  Partnership--BDR,  which we refer to as MILP,  whose
       address is One Madison  Avenue,  New York,  New York 10010.  According to
       Schedule  13D/A  filed on behalf of  MetLife  Inc.,  which we refer to as
       MLINC, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, which we refer to as MetLife,
       MILP and 23rd Street Investments, Inc., which we refer to as 23rd Street,
       the  general  partner  of MILP is 23rd  Street,  which is a  wholly-owned
       subsidiary of MetLife.  MetLife is a wholly-owned  subsidiary of MLINC, a
       publicly traded company.  MILP is a limited  partnership in which MetLife
       is a limited partner with a 99%  partnership  interest and 23rd Street is
       the general partner with a 1% partnership interest.

  (11) Includes options  exercisable  within 60 days and outstanding  restricted
       stock.

  (12) Based  solely on Schedule  13G/A filed with the SEC on February 12, 2002.
       The address of Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. is 1299 Ocean Avenue,  11th
       Floor, Santa Monica, CA 90401.

  (13) According to Schedule  13G/A filed with the SEC on February 11, 2002,  T.
       Rowe Price  Associates,  Inc.,  which we refer to as TRP,  possesses sole
       voting  power  over  711,300  shares  of  Class A Common  Stock  and sole
       deposition  power  over  2,318,100  shares of Class A Common  Stock.  The
       address of TRP is 100 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.


                                       7


                 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Registration Rights Agreement

     General. We, certain members of senior management, which we refer to as the
Management  Shareholders,  MILP, and all other holders of our common stock prior
to the initial public offering of our common stock in November 1997, are parties
to a registration  rights  agreement,  dated September 3, 1991, as amended.  All
provisions of the registration rights agreement described below terminate on the
earlier of:

     o  September 3, 2006, or

     o  the date  when  shares  of Class A Common  Stock  which  are held by the
        above-described  holders other than Management  Shareholders  constitute
        less  than 10% of the  outstanding  Common  Stock,  subject  to  limited
        exceptions.

The  registration  rights agreement is applicable only with respect to shares of
Common  Stock held prior to the initial  public  offering.  It  contains,  among
others, the following provisions:

     Demand and Piggyback  Registration  Rights.  The holders (not including the
Management  Shareholders)  of at least 20% of the Class A Common  Stock  held by
such holders  immediately  prior to the initial  public  offering  may, on seven
occasions,  demand that we prepare and file a registration  statement  under the
Securities  Act of 1933,  as  amended.  These  demand  registration  rights  are
applicable to such number of shares of Class A Common Stock held by such holders
prior to the  initial  public  offering  as are  designated  by the holders of a
majority of such shares of Class A Common Stock after consultation with the book
running lead  underwriter of any such offering and the demanding  holders.  Once
every 12 months, we may delay the filing of any such registration  statement for
up to 60 days if we would be  required  in the  opinion of  counsel to  disclose
information  in the  registration  statement  that it  would  not  otherwise  be
required to publicly  disclose and the board of directors  determines  that such
disclosure is not in our best  interests.  In addition,  such holders of Class A
Common  Stock are  entitled to offer and sell their Class A Common  Stock in any
underwritten  public offering  involving the offering of any securities by us or
by any of our subsidiaries,  subject to certain  limitations.  We may also offer
and sell our Class A Common Stock in any underwritten  public offering  effected
at the  request  of such  holders  of Class A Common  Stock,  subject to certain
limitations.


                                       8


                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

     The  following  table shows the  compensation  earned  during  fiscal 2001,
fiscal  2000 and fiscal 1999 by our chief  executive  officer and our four other
most highly  compensated  executive  officers.  These individuals are called the
named executive officers.


                           Summary Compensation Table

                                                                                                     Long-Term
                                                                                                    Compensation
                                                             Annual Compensation(1)                   Awards(2)
                                                ---------------------------------------------   -----------------------
                                                                                                            Securities    All Other
                                                Fiscal                           Other Annual    Restricted  Underlying    Compen-
         Name and Principal Position             Year     Salary      Bonus(3)   Compensation   Stock($)(4)  Options(#)    sation(5)
         ---------------------------            ------    ------      --------   -------------  ----------- ----------    ---------
                                                                                                      
Joseph L. Lanier, Jr.........................    2001     551,616          --       13,120(6)     15,925       32,500      35,998
   Chairman and Chief Executive                  2000     533,664      104,385       2,921(6)         --       65,000       1,700
   Officer                                       1999     513,139       94,830          --            --       65,000       1,600


Richard L. Williams..........................    2001     432,640          --       10,290(6)     11,025       22,500      25,978
   President and Chief Operating                 2000     418,560       81,870       2,291(6)         --       45,000       1,700
   Officer                                       1999     402,462       74,370          --            --       45,000       1,600


Barry F. Shea................................    2001     259,584          --        6,174(6)      4,288        8,750      16,732
   Executive Vice President--Chief               2000     251,136       49,122       1,375(6)         --       17,500       1,700
   Financial Officer                             1999     241,477       44,620          --            --       17,500       1,600


Gregory R. Boozer............................    2001     216,300          --        5,319(6)      3,675        7,500      16,868
   Executive Vice President--                    2000     209,277       40,935       1,146(6)         --       15,000       1,700
   Manufacturing                                 1999     201,231       37,190      48,923(7)         --       12,500       1,600


Harry L. Goodrich............................    2001     193,939          --        4,608(6)      2,450        5,000      15,763
   Vice President, Secretary and                 2000     186,480       36,475       1,019(6)         --       10,000       1,700
   General Counsel                               1999     179,308       33,140     108,726(7)         --       10,000       1,600
- --------------


(1)  The aggregate  amount of perquisites and other personal  benefits,  if any,
     did not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the total annual  salary and
     bonus  reported for each named  executive  officer and has  therefore  been
     omitted.
(2)  No SARs have been granted.
(3)  Bonuses  are based on  operating  income  targets  approved by the board of
     directors at the beginning of each fiscal year. No bonuses were paid to the
     named executive officers for the 2001 fiscal year.
(4)  Restricted  stock vests in one third  increments on March 1, 2002, 2003 and
     2004 and  becomes  fully  vested  in the event of a Change  of  Control  as
     defined  in the  Long-Term  Incentive  Plan.  There were a total of 215,250
     shares of restricted  stock  awarded to a total of 54 key employees  during
     fiscal 2001. The aggregate  value of the  restricted  stock was $105,473 at
     December 29, 2001,  based on the closing  price of our Class A Common Stock
     of $0.49 per share on December  28, 2001.  No dividends  are payable on the
     restricted stock
(5)  Represents  amounts  accrued during  applicable  fiscal years to each named
     executive  officer  pursuant to the Dan River Inc.  Salary  Retirement Plan
     and,  for  fiscal  2001,  the SERP and the  restricted  SERP (as  described
     hereafter).
(6)  Represents  the company match in respect of the named  executive  officer's
     deferrals of salary  pursuant to the Dan River Inc.  401(k) Plan, a defined
     contribution plan available to all of our salaried employees, and of salary
     and bonus pursuant to the Dan River Inc.  Non-Qualified 401(k) and Deferred
     Compensation Plan, (the "NQ 401(k)") a non-qualified  defined  contribution
     plan available to senior  managers of the Company.  Also includes  interest
     paid to the named  executive  officer  pursuant  to the NQ  401(k),  to the
     extent such interest exceeded 120% of the applicable federal rate.
(7)  Represents the difference between:

                                       9


     o    the fair market value of Class A Common Stock  purchased upon exercise
          of nonqualified stock options during the applicable fiscal year (based
          upon the closing  price of the Class A Common  Stock in trading on the
          New York Stock Exchange on the date of exercise); and
     o    the exercise price of the option.



Option Grants Table

     The  following  table  shows  certain  information  relating to the options
granted to each of the named executive officers during fiscal 2001.


                      Option/SAR Grants In Last Fiscal Year

                                                Individual Grants               Option Term          Potential Realizable
                                     ----------------------------------   -----------------------      Value of Assumed
                                                            % of Total    Exercise                  Annual Rates of Stock
                                     Number of Securities     Options      or Base                   Price Appreciation for
                                          Underlying,        Granted to   Price Per                         Option Term
                                         Options/SARs        Employees      Share     Expiration   -------------------------
        Name                           Granted (#)(1)(2)   in Fiscal Year  ($/Sh)        Date           5%           10%
        ----                           -----------------   --------------  ------        ----           --           ---
                                                                                                
Joseph L. Lanier, Jr............            32,500               10%        $ 3.07      5/11/11       $62,748     $159,016
Richard L. Williams.............            22,500                7%        $ 3.07      5/11/11        43,441      110,088
Barry F. Shea...................             8,750                3%        $ 3.07      5/11/11        16,894       42,812
Gregory R. Boozer...............             7,500                2%        $ 3.07      5/11/11        14,480       36,696
Harry L. Goodrich...............             5,000                2%        $ 3.07      5/11/11         9,654       24,464
- --------------


(1)  We have not granted any SARs.

(2)  All  options  granted are options to  purchase  Class A Common  Stock.  The
     options vest and become  exercisable in three equal  increments on December
     31, 2001, 2002 and 2003.  However,  the options vest and become exercisable
     immediately in the event of a Change of Control as defined in the Long-Term
     Incentive  Plan.  The  optionee  or his estate will be entitled to exercise
     such options, to the extent vested, within six months after the date of the
     event resulting in termination of employment.


                                       10


Aggregated Options Table

     The  following  table shows  certain  information  with  respect to options
exercised  during fiscal 2001 and options held at the end of fiscal 2001 by each
named executive officer.  There were no stock appreciation rights outstanding at
the end of fiscal 2001.


             Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises In Last Fiscal Year And
                     Fiscal Year End Option/SAR Values Table

                                                                          Number of Securities
                                                Shares                   Underlying Unexercised
                                               Acquired                    Options at Fiscal
                                                  on          Value         Year-End (#)(1)
                                                                        ---------------------------
        Name                                 Exercise (#)  Realized($)  Exercisable   Unexercisable
        ----                                 ------------  -----------  -----------   -------------
                                                                             
Joseph L. Lanier, Jr................              --            --         213,750       113,750
Richard L. Williams.................              --            --         148,750        78,750
Barry F. Shea.......................              --            --          60,625        30,625
Gregory R. Boozer...................              --            --          49,375        25,625
Harry L. Goodrich...................              --            --          27,500        17,500
- --------------


(1)      There were no  unexercised  in-the-money  stock options  outstanding at
     fiscal year end based on the closing  price on the New York Stock  Exchange
     of our Class A Common Stock on December 28, 2001 of $0.49 per share and the
     respective option exercise price.


Retirement Plans

     The table  below  shows the  annual  retirement  benefits  payable to named
executive  officers as a life-only  annuity starting at the greater of age 65 or
their current age,  based on their  remuneration  and years of service under our
restricted  supplemental  executive  retirement  plan,  which we refer to as our
restricted  SERP, our  supplemental  retirement  plan,  which we refer to as our
SERP, and our salary  retirement plan, which we refer to as our retirement plan.
The material terms of these three plans are discussed briefly below the table.

                                                 Years of Service
                                  ----------------------------------------------
     Remuneration                    5           10          15       20 or more
     ------------                    -           --          --       ----------
     $200,000................     $20,000     $ 40,000    $ 60,000     $ 80,000
     $350,000................     $35,000     $ 70,000    $105,000     $140,000
     $500,000................     $50,000     $100,000    $150,000     $200,000
     $650,000................     $65,000     $130,000    $195,000     $260,000
     $800,000................     $80,000     $160,000    $240,000     $320,000
     $950,000................     $95,000     $190,000    $285,000     $380,000


     The  restricted  SERP is  designed  to  provide  each  participant  with an
aggregate, noncontributory retirement benefit from us (after taking into account
other  deferred  compensation  benefits  from us) at age 65 equal to 40% of such
participant's final average monthly  compensation if such participant  completes
at least 20 years of service with us. The compensation committee of our board of
directors  designates who is eligible to  participate in the restricted  SERP. A
participant's  final average monthly  compensation  for this purpose consists of
such participant's  average monthly base salary,  bonus and commissions  payable
before any deductions whatsoever, the greater of either

    o   in  the  five  calendar  year  period  ending   immediately  before  the
        participant's retirement date, or
    o   in the five  calendar  year  period  which  includes  the  participant's
        retirement date.

     A participant's  years of service are the same as such participant's  years
of vesting service under our retirement plan. If a participant fails to complete
at least 5 years of service, no benefit will be payable to the participant under
the restricted  SERP. A participant  who completes less than 20 years of service
will  receive a fraction  of such  participant's  40% of final  average  monthly
compensation  benefit. The numerator of this fraction will be such participant's
actual  years of service  and the  denominator  of this  fraction  will be 20. A
participant's restricted SERP benefit is reduced by:

    o   the retirement  benefits payable to the participant under the retirement
        plan and the SERP,

                                       11


    o   the benefits payable under our 401(k) plan to the extent attributable to
        matching contributions made by us,
    o   such participant's social security benefits, and
    o   any other  benefit  which  the  compensation  committee  of our board of
        directors  decides  duplicates the benefit  payable under the restricted
        SERP.

     A  participant's  restricted  SERP benefit is further reduced to the extent
provided under the retirement  plan in the event of retirement  prior to age 65.
Finally, a participant's benefit under the restricted SERP cannot be assigned or
otherwise  transferred  to any other  person by a  participant,  such benefit is
payable to a participant only from our general assets, and a participant is only
a general and  unsecured  creditor  of ours with  respect to the payment of such
benefit.

     Messrs. Lanier, Williams, Shea, Boozer and Goodrich are participants in the
restricted  SERP.  For the five  calendar  year period which ended  December 31,
2001, the average monthly  compensation  for purposes of the restricted SERP for
Messrs.  Lanier,  Williams,  Shea,  Boozer and Goodrich  was  $62,514,  $50,338,
$29,905,  $23,867  and  $20,586,  respectively.  As of  January  1, 2002 each of
Messrs.  Lanier,  Williams,  Shea,  Boozer and  Goodrich had 12 years of service
under the restricted  SERP. As of January 1, 2002 there were 23 other executives
designated as participants in the restricted SERP.

     The  retirement  plan and the  SERP  work  together.  The  retirement  plan
provides  a  noncontributory  benefit  to  participants  based on both  years of
service and a participant's  career average monthly earnings,  which we refer to
as average  compensation.  Average compensation consists of a participant's base
salary and  commissions.  No bonuses are taken into  account in a  participant's
average  compensation.  Messrs.  Lanier,  Williams,  Shea,  Boozer and  Goodrich
participate  in the  retirement  plan  on  the  same  basis  as  other  salaried
employees,  and any benefit which the  retirement  plan pays to these five named
executive  officers  reduces  the  benefit  which we will pay to the five  named
executive officers under the restricted SERP.  Estimated annual benefits payable
under the  retirement  plan upon  retirement at the greater of age 65 or current
age for Messrs.  Lanier,  Williams,  Shea, Boozer and Goodrich based on a single
life annuity were $19,764, $19,692, $41,712, $52,760 and $42,556, respectively.

     The SERP  will  provide a  noncontributory  benefit  to each of our  highly
compensated  employees who is designated  by the  compensation  committee of our
board of  directors  as eligible  to  participate  in the SERP and who  actually
accrues a benefit under our  retirement  plan on and after January 1, 2001.  The
SERP is designed to work  together with the  retirement  plan to make up for the
fact that the retirement plan does not give a participant credit for bonuses and
cannot give credit for base salary and  commissions in excess of the IRS limits.
The SERP will  provide a  retroactive  benefit for a  participant  for each year
after  1987 and  before  2001 if such  participant  accrued a benefit  under the
retirement plan in any such year and was a participant in the SERP on January 1,
2001.  The SERP will provide a benefit for each year after 2000 if a participant
accrues a benefit under the  retirement  plan in any such year. A  participant's
benefit under the SERP is paid at the same time and in the same form as provided
under the retirement plan except that a participant's  benefit under the SERP is
payable  only from our general  assets and a  participant  is only a general and
unsecured  creditor of ours with respect to the payment of such benefits.  As of
January 1, 2002, there were 111 employees  designated as eligible to participate
in the SERP,  including  Messrs.  Lanier,  Williams,  Shea, Boozer and Goodrich.
Estimated  annual benefits payable under the SERP upon retirement at the greater
of age 65 or current age for Messrs. Lanier, Williams, Shea, Boozer and Goodrich
based on a single life  annuity  were  $50,720,  $36,678,  $37,707,  $32,041 and
$20,650,  respectively. Any benefit which we pay to the named executive officers
under the SERP  reduces the benefit  which we will pay to these five  executives
under the restricted SERP.


Employment Agreements

     Executive Employment Agreements.  We have employment agreements with Joseph
L. Lanier,  Jr.,  Richard L.  Williams  and Barry F. Shea,  each of which became
effective on November 20, 1997, and  terminates  five years  thereafter,  unless
earlier  terminated as described below. Each employment  agreement  provides for
the employee to be retained in certain specified  capacities by us and to devote
his full business time and  attention to our  business.  Each of the  employment
agreements  provides  that we shall pay the employee a bonus under the Dan River
Inc.  Management  Incentive  Plan,  which  we refer to as the  bonus  plan,  and
reimburse  certain  business related  expenses.  The bonus plan provides for the
payment of an annual  cash bonus to our  executive  officers  and key  employees
based upon our achievement of operating  income and working  capital  management
goals established at the beginning of each fiscal year and approved by the board
of  directors.  Participation  in the bonus  plan,  as well as award  levels and
performance  criteria,  are  recommended  by the  chief  executive  officer  and
approved by the compensation committee of the board of directors.

     Mr. Lanier's employment  agreement provides that he will serve as the chief
executive  officer and  chairman of the board of  directors  at a base salary of
$460,000  per year,  which may be increased  at the  discretion  of the board of
directors, subject to certain cost of living adjustments.


                                       12


     The employment agreements with Messrs.  Williams and Shea provide for their
employment as president and chief operating officer and chief financial officer,
respectively. Each employment agreement provides that the employee shall receive
a base salary determined by the chief executive officer,  subject to approval by
the compensation committee of the board of directors.

     The employment  agreements  are terminable  upon the death or disability of
the employee,  by us for "good cause," as defined in the employment  agreements,
by us  without  cause,  by the  employee  for "good  reason,"  as defined in the
employment  agreements,  by  the  employee  without  good  reason  or  upon  the
occurrence  of a "change in control," as defined in the  employment  agreements.
Each employment agreement provides that, in the event the employee's  employment
is  terminated  for no cause,  a change in  control,  or for good  reason,  such
employee  will be paid an amount  equal to two times his annual  base  salary in
effect at the time of termination, plus any incentive bonus prorated to the date
on which  employment  is  terminated.  The  employee  would also be  entitled to
participate  for a period of up to twenty-four  months after  termination of his
employment in various welfare, pension and savings plans and programs offered by
us.

     Post-Employment  Agreements.  We have entered into  agreements with Messrs.
Boozer  and  Goodrich,  as well as  certain  other  executive  officers  and key
employees.  These agreements  provide certain  assurances to the employee in the
event Mr. Lanier ceases for any reason to be chief executive  officer,  which we
refer to as an  employment  event,  including  an agreement  not to  arbitrarily
reduce the salary of or  relocate  the  employee,  and to allow the  employee to
participate in certain incentive and other benefit plans at a level commensurate
with his level of participation  at the time the employment  event occurred.  In
the event  employment  of the employee is terminated by us without "good cause,"
as defined in the post-employment  agreements, or by the employee upon breach of
the  agreement by us, the  employee is entitled to a severance  payment of up to
two years  salary,  plus any bonus  otherwise  earned  for the year in which the
termination  occurs.  The  employee  would  also  be  entitled  to  continue  to
participate for a period of up to twenty-four months in various welfare, pension
and savings plans and programs offered by us.


                          REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

     The audit committee of our company is responsible  for, among other things,
reviewing  with our  independent  auditors  the scope and results of their audit
engagement. In connection with the fiscal 2001 audit, the audit committee has:

    o   reviewed and discussed with management the audited financial  statements
        of our company to be included in our annual  report on Form 10-K for the
        year ended December 29, 2001,
    o   discussed with Ernst & Young LLP, our independent auditors,  the matters
        required by Statement of Accounting Standards No. 61,
    o   considered  whether Ernst & Young LLP's provision of non-audit  services
        to our company was compatible with their independence, and
    o   received and discussed the written  disclosures  and letter from Ernst &
        Young LLP required under  Independent  Standards  Board  Statement No. 1
        regarding their independence.

     Based on the review and the discussions described in the preceding bullets,
the audit  committee has  recommended to the board of directors that the audited
financial  statements be included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 29, 2001.


                                  Edward J. Lill, Chairman
                                  Donald J. Keller
                                  John F. Maypole

     The foregoing report should not be deemed  incorporated by reference by any
general  statement  incorporating  by reference  this Proxy  Statement  into any
filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the Securities  Exchange Act of
1934, except to the extent that we specifically  incorporate this information by
reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.


                                       13


             COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     Our compensation  package for all of our executive  officers in fiscal 2001
consisted of:

     o  base salary,

     o  cash bonus,

     o  restricted stock, and

     o  stock options.

The compensation  committee expects that compensation for executive  officers in
fiscal 2002 will include these same elements.

     Base Salary.  Mr. Lanier's base salary is determined in accordance with his
employment agreement, with increases in excess of cost of living increases to be
recommended  by the  compensation  committee  and subject to the approval of the
full board of directors.  Mr. Lanier  received no salary increase in fiscal 2001
due to the  imposition  of a six month salary  freeze in order to cut costs in a
difficult business environment.

     Executive  officers'  salaries  are  established  in line with merit budget
guidelines  applicable  to all salaried  employees  and approved by the board of
directors.  The merit budget is  established  annually by the board of directors
and is  generally  intended  to adjust for  inflation  and  competitive  factors
relating to pay levels in the textile  industry.  Adjustments may be approved by
the compensation committee to take account of changes in the executive officer's
responsibilities  and his or her overall  performance.  Merit  budget costs were
significantly reduced in fiscal 2001 due to the salary freeze described above.

     Cash Bonuses. Each executive officer,  including Mr. Lanier, is eligible to
receive an annual cash bonus pursuant to the terms of our  management  incentive
plan. The established objectives of the management incentive plan are:

    o   to maximize  operating income while  encouraging  prudent  management of
        working capital, and

    o   to enhance our ability to attract and retain talented management.

Operating income targets are recommended at the beginning of each fiscal year by
the  compensation  committee  and  approved  by  the  board  of  directors.  The
compensation  committee determines the target award level category to which each
executive  officer is assigned.  In  establishing  operating  income targets and
other  financial  criteria for awards under the management  incentive  plan, the
compensation committee has focused specifically on our performance in comparison
to certain other textile companies. For example,  achieving a target award under
the management  incentive plan generally requires performance above the level of
such other textile companies at the time the bonus targets were established.  No
bonus was paid to Mr. Lanier and the other named executive officers with respect
to fiscal 2001.

     Restricted  Stock and Stock  Options.  Our  restricted  stock and long-term
stock option plans are intended to align the interests  between our shareholders
and our  directors,  officers and key employees  through the grant of restricted
stock and/or stock options which vest over a period of time.  Options granted in
fiscal  2001 had an exercise  price  equal to the  closing  price of our Class A
Common Stock on the New York Stock  Exchange on May 11, 2001 and,  together with
the restricted stock that was granted in fiscal 2001, provide a strong incentive
to management to build shareholder value over time.

     Long-Term   Equity-Based   Awards   and   Performance-Based   Awards.   Our
equity-based and performance-based awards are intended to attract and retain key
employees and directors  providing such persons with  incentives and rewards for
superior  performance  and increased  shareholder  value.  Stock options,  stock
appreciation rights,  restricted stock, deferred shares,  performance awards and
other stock-based awards may be awarded based on certain  performance  criteria.
The awards and terms of the awards are determined by the compensation  committee
in their sole discretion.

                                    John F. Maypole, Chairman
                                    Donald J. Keller
                                    Edward J. Lill

     The foregoing  report shall not be deemed  incorporated by reference by any
general  statement  incorporating  by reference  this proxy  statement  into any
filing under the  Securities  Act of 1933, or under the  Securities Act of 1934,
which we refer to  together  as the Acts,  except to the extent we  specifically
incorporate  this  information  by reference,  and shall not otherwise be deemed
filed under such Acts.


                                       14


Stock Price Performance Graph

     The graph below  reflects  cumulative  shareholder  return (based on market
capitalization and assuming the reinvestment of dividends) on our Class A Common
Stock  compared  to the  return on the S&P 500 Index and a peer group of textile
companies  which,  in our opinion,  are engaged in lines of business  similar to
those in which we are engaged.  Trading in our Class A Common Stock commenced on
November 21, 1997 in  connection  with our initial  public  offering.  The graph
reflects  the  investment  of $100.00 on November 21, 1997 in our Class A Common
Stock,  the S&P  500  Index  and in the  peer  group  and  the  reinvestment  of
dividends.




                                      Dan River Inc.   S&P 500   Peer Group(2)
                                      --------------   -------   -------------
   11/21/97..........................    100.00       100.00        100.00
   12/31/97..........................    109.58       106.43        106.96
   12/31/98..........................     78.33       136.84        125.66
   12/31/99..........................     34.17       165.64         67.97
   12/31/00..........................     14.80       150.56         36.73
   12/31/01..........................      3.67       132.67         14.36
   ------------

   (1) Peer group consists of Cone Mills Corporation,  Delta Woodside Industries
       Inc., Galey & Lord Inc., and WestPoint Stevens Inc.

     The stock  price  performance  graph  shall not be deemed  incorporated  by
reference  by any  general  statement  incorporating  by  reference  this  proxy
statement into any filing under the Acts,  except to the extent we  specifically
incorporate  this  information  by reference,  and shall not otherwise be deemed
filed under such Acts.


                                       15


  APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO OUR AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                                    (Item 2)


     The board of directors  recommends that the shareholders approve amendments
to our Amended and Restated  Articles of Incorporation to effect a reverse split
of our issued and outstanding Common Stock, and to file one such amendment.  The
reverse split will combine a whole number of outstanding  shares between two and
five of each of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock into one share
of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, respectively, depending upon a
determination  by our board of  directors  that a reverse  stock split is in our
best  interests  and the best  interests  of our  shareholders.  The text of the
proposed amendments is provided in Annex A.

     If the amendments are approved by the shareholders,  the board of directors
will have the authority, in its sole discretion, to determine (i) whether or not
to proceed with the reverse stock split,  (ii) when the reverse stock split will
be  effective,  and (iii) the number of  pre-split  shares that will be combined
into one share,  provided  that the number of  pre-split  shares must be a whole
number of shares.  The amendment filed with the Georgia  Secretary of State will
contain the number  selected by the board of directors.  If the  amendments  are
adopted,  there  will be no change in the  number of  authorized  shares of each
class of Common Stock and no change in the par value of the Common Stock.


What is a "reverse stock split"?

     In a reverse stock split, one share of a company's stock is substituted for
a  pre-determined  number of shares,  thus  reducing  the number of  outstanding
shares without any corresponding  change in the par value of the stock or in the
market  capitalization  of the company.  For example,  if our board of directors
approves a  "one-for-two"  reverse split of our Common Stock,  each  shareholder
would  receive  one new  share of Class A or Class B Common  Stock for every two
shares of Class A or Class B Common Stock previously held. Immediately after the
reverse stock split,  the aggregate  value of the  shareholder's  stock would be
unchanged,  but he or she would hold half as many shares, with each share having
twice its pre-split value.


Why is the board of directors  requesting  authority  to  implement  the reverse
stock split?

     The principal purpose of the reverse stock split is to maintain the closing
market  price of our Class A Common Stock above $1.00 per share in order to meet
the continued listing criteria of the New York Stock Exchange, which we refer to
as the NYSE.

     Our Class A Common Stock is listed on the NYSE.  In order to continue to be
listed on the NYSE,  certain NYSE continued listing standards must be met. Among
the  standards is a  requirement  that,  in the event the NYSE notifies a listed
company that the average closing price of its listed security has been less than
$1.00 for any consecutive  30-trading-day period, the company must have attained
a stock price of at least $1.00 per share and a  30-trading-day  average closing
price of $1.00 per share or higher six months after  receipt of the NYSE notice.
If the company fails to do so, the security may be delisted by the NYSE.

     In  December  2001,  we received a notice  from the NYSE  stating  that the
average  closing  price of our Class A Common Stock had been less than $1.00 for
more than  30-trading-days.  In compliance with NYSE rules, we notified the NYSE
of our intention to meet the $1.00 per share price requirement.  The NYSE notice
also informed us that our market  capitalization  had failed to remain above $15
million for a  30-trading-day  period as required for  continued  listing on the
NYSE.  In accordance  with NYSE rules,  we submitted a business plan in February
2002 that we believe  demonstrates  our ability to come into compliance with the
market  capitalization  requirement  within 18 months  from the date of the NYSE
notice.  The NYSE had up to 45 days from receipt of our business plan to approve
or reject the plan.

     On March 12,  2002,  the NYSE  advised  us that it had agreed to accept our
business  plan and that,  accordingly,  it was  prepared  to  continue  our NYSE
listing  subject,  however,  to quarterly  monitoring  for  compliance  with the
business  plan.  The NYSE  advised  us that we may be  subject  to NYSE  trading
suspension  and  eventual  delisting  if  the  NYSE  determines  that  goals  or
initiatives  described in the plan have not been met. We cannot  assure you that
we will be successful in meeting the goals and  initiatives in our business plan
to the NYSE's  satisfaction.  If we are unsuccessful in these efforts,  the NYSE
may suspend trading in and eventually delist our Class A Common Stock.

     Our business  plan  indicates  that we will meet the market  capitalization
requirement  within the required 18 month time period, and based on conservative
assumptions regarding market valuations, our stock price should recover as well.
In reviewing the business plan,  however,  our directors were concerned that the
timing of the economic  recovery and expected  improvement in our business would


                                       16


not permit reasonable time for our stock price to recover  sufficiently prior to
the end of the requisite  six month period to meet the required  $1.00 per share
threshhold  and thus  prevent  delisting.  Accordingly,  the board of  directors
believes  that the reverse  stock split may be  necessary in order to provide an
opportunity  to maintain our NYSE listing while allowing  sufficient  time for a
recovery in our stock price.


Why does the board of directors consider our NYSE listing important?

     The  board of  directors  believes  that it is  important  to  provide  our
shareholders with the best possible market for trading our Class A Common Stock.
If delisting were to occur,  we expect that our Class A Common Stock would trade
on the National  Association  of Securities  Dealers' Over the Counter  Bulletin
Board, which we refer to as the OTCBB, which was established for securities that
do not meet the Nasdaq listing  requirements,  or in the over the counter market
in the "pink sheets"  maintained by Pink Sheets LLC.  Such  alternative  trading
markets are generally  considered  less efficient and less liquid than the NYSE.
Consequently,  selling our Class A Common Stock could be more difficult  because
smaller quantities of shares would likely be bought and sold, transactions could
be delayed, and securities analysts' and news media coverage could be reduced.

     These factors could result in lower prices and  substantial  spreads in the
bid and ask prices for shares of our Class A Common  Stock.  Delisting  from the
NYSE could also impair our ability to raise additional capital through equity or
debt  financing  and,  to the extent the stock price is further  depressed  as a
result  of  or  in  connection  with  the  delisting,   ownership   dilution  to
shareholders  might  be  higher  if  we  issue  equity  in  financing  or  other
transactions,  since  more  shares  will  need to be  issued in order to raise a
specific amount of capital.

     Additionally,  if our Class A Common  Stock is  delisted,  we might  become
subject to Rule 15g-9 under the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended.
This  rule  generally   imposes   additional  sales  practice   requirements  on
broker-dealers that sell low-priced securities to persons other than established
customers and institutional  accredited  investors.  For transactions covered by
this  rule,   generally  a  broker-dealer   must  make  a  special   suitability
determination  for the  purchaser  and have  received  the  purchaser's  written
consent to the transaction prior to sale. Consequently,  the rule may affect the
ability  of  broker-dealers  to sell our  Class A Common  Stock and  affect  the
ability  of  holders to sell their  shares in the  secondary  market.  Moreover,
investors may be less interested in purchasing low-priced securities because the
brokerage  commission,  as a percentage of the total transaction value, tends to
be higher  for such  securities,  and some  investment  funds will not invest in
low-priced  securities  (other  than those  that  focus on  small-capitalization
companies or low-priced securities).


What are the potential disadvantages and risks associated with the reverse stock
split?

     As noted above,  the principal  purpose of the reverse stock split would be
to help maintain the 30-trading-day  average closing price of our Class A Common
Stock  above  the  $1.00  threshold  required  by  the  NYSE  continued  listing
standards.  We cannot  assure you that the reverse  stock split will  accomplish
this objective.  While we expect that the reduction in the outstanding shares of
Common  Stock will  increase the market  price of the Class A Common  Stock,  we
cannot assure you that the reverse stock split will increase the market price of
the Class A Common Stock by a multiple  equal to the number of pre-split  shares
in the reverse split ratio determined by the board of directors (which can range
from two to five) or result in any permanent increase in the market price (which
can be dependent upon many factors,  including, but not limited to, our business
and financial performance and prospects).  Should the market price decline after
the reverse  stock  split,  the  percentage  decline may be greater,  due to the
smaller  number  of shares  outstanding,  than it would  have been  prior to the
reverse stock split.  Additionally,  as noted above,  should the NYSE  determine
that we have not met applicable  initiatives and goals set forth in our business
plan, the NYSE could take action to suspend trading in and eventually delist our
Class A Common  Stock  without  regard to our  efforts  to  maintain  the $1.00,
30-trading-day average closing price. In some cases the stock price of companies
that have  effected  reverse  stock  splits has  subsequently  declined  back to
pre-reverse split levels.

     There  are  other  reasons  why a  reverse  stock  split  may be  perceived
negatively in the marketplace. In addition to the fact that the number of shares
available  for trading are reduced,  which  generally has the effect of reducing
liquidity,  round lots (i.e.,  lots in multiples of 100 shares) may be converted
into odd lots due to the split, which may in turn increase transaction costs for
shareholders.  Further,  a reverse split can have a negative  effect on employee
retention and  recruitment by potentially  reducing the number of shares that we
could offer in option grants and other stock-based  awards. We cannot assure you
that  the  market  price of our  Class A  Common  Stock  immediately  after  the
effective  date of the proposed  reverse stock split will be maintained  for any
period of time or that the ratio of post- and  pre-split  shares will remain the
same after the reverse stock split is effected,  or that the reverse stock split
will not have an adverse  effect on our stock price due to the reduced number of
shares outstanding after the reverse stock split.




                                       17


How will the board of  directors  determine  whether or not to proceed  with the
reverse stock split?

     The board of  directors  will not proceed  with the reverse  stock split if
they consider it unnecessary in order to meet NYSE continued  listing  standards
or if they believe it is otherwise not in the best  interests of our company and
our shareholders.  Factors which they may take into consideration  include,  but
are not limited to,  general  trends in the stock market,  economic and industry
conditions,  recent changes and anticipated trends in the per share market price
of our Class A Common  Stock,  the  status  of our  business  and our  projected
business and financial performance.


How will the board of directors determine the ratio of the reverse stock split?

     If the board of directors  decides to proceed with the reverse stock split,
they will set the ratio of the reverse stock split based on a number of factors.
These  include  the  market  price of our Class A Common  Stock and  anticipated
trends in the market price.


When will the board of  directors  determine  whether or not to proceed with the
reverse stock split?

     The board of  directors  may  determine  not to go forward with the reverse
stock split at any time on or before 60 days after the proposed  amendments  are
approved by the shareholders. If the board does not decide to effect the reverse
stock split and file an amendment within 60 days after the shareholders  approve
the proposed  amendments,  none of the amendments  will be filed and the reverse
stock split will not occur.



                                       18


How will the reverse stock split affect my ownership of Common Stock?

     The following table  illustrates the principal effects of the reverse stock
split on our Common Stock.



- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SHARES                                  Before reverse split                   After reverse split
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Ratio = 1:2            Ratio = 1:5
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   
Authorized                                                     265,000,000           265,000,000            265,000,000

Class A Common Stock                                           175,000,000           175,000,000            175,000,000
Class B Common Stock                                            35,000,000            35,000,000             35,000,000
Class C Common Stock                                             5,000,000             5,000,000              5,000,000
Preferred Stock                                                 50,000,000            50,000,000             50,000,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding (1)
- --------------------------------------------------

Class A Common Stock                                            20,371,939            10,185,970              4,074,388
Class B Common Stock                                             2,062,070             1,031,035                412,414
Class C Common Stock                                                     0                     0                      0
Preferred Stock                                                          0                     0                      0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available for future issuance
- --------------------------------------------------

Class A Common Stock (2)                                       148,975,417           159,161,387            165,272,968
Class B Common Stock                                            32,937,930            33,968,965             34,587,586
Class C Common Stock                                             5,000,000             5,000,000              5,000,000
Preferred Stock                                                 50,000,000            50,000,000             50,000,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Common Stock reserved and remaining
available for awards under 2000 Long-Term
Incentive Plan                                                   2,000,000             1,000,000                400,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Common Stock reserved and remaining
available for issuance under Dan River Inc. 1997
Stock Incentive Plan                                             1,518,800               759,400                303,760
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A Common Stock reserved and remaining
available for issuance under The Bibb Company
1997 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan
                                                                    68,774                34,387                 13,755
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



(1)   Assumes  reverse  split  effective  as of March 1,  2002,  and  subject to
      adjustment resulting from cash payments in lieu of fractional shares.

(2)    Excludes shares  reserved and remaining  available for issuance under our
       option and long term incentive  plans listed below.  Also excludes shares
       reserved for issuance upon  conversion of Class B Common Stock into Class
       A Common Stock.


     If the reverse stock split is  implemented,  you will own fewer shares than
you owned prior to the reverse  split.  The number of post-split  shares will be
determined  by  dividing  the number of shares  owned  immediately  prior to the
effective  time of the  reverse  stock split by a number of shares held prior to
the reverse split  determined  by the board of directors.  Thus, if the board of
directors  determines to implement a 1-for-3  reverse  stock split,  every three
shares  of Class A Common  Stock or Class B Common  Stock  that you hold will be
converted into one share of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, as the
case may be.



                                       19


     The reverse stock split will simultaneously apply to all outstanding shares
of our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common  Stock,  and the  exchange  ratio
will be the same for both classes of our Common Stock. Except for changes due to
our  purchase of  fractional  shares,  the  reverse  stock split will affect all
shareholders  uniformly  and  will  not  change  their  proportionate  ownership
interests,  nor will the reverse  split alter the  respective  voting  rights of
holders  of Class A Common  Stock and Class B Common  Stock.  The  Common  Stock
issued  pursuant  to  the  reverse  stock  split  will  remain  fully  paid  and
non-assessable,  and we will  continue to be subject to the  periodic  reporting
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


How will the reverse stock split be implemented?

     If approved by our shareholders at the annual meeting,  and if our board of
directors  determines  that  effecting  the  reverse  stock split is in our best
interests and the best interests of our shareholders,  we will file an amendment
with the Georgia  Secretary of State at such time as the board has determined is
the appropriate  effective time for the reverse stock split;  however, the board
must  make  such  determination  no  later  than  60 days  after  the  date  the
shareholders  approve  the  amendments.  The  reverse  stock  split will  become
effective upon the filing of the amendment with the Secretary of State.  At such
time, which we refer to as the effective time, each certificate representing our
Common Stock prior to the reverse  stock split will be deemed for all  corporate
purposes to evidence  ownership of  post-split  shares.  There is no  "issuance"
resulting from the reverse stock split.

     Promptly  after the effective  time,  you will be notified that the reverse
stock split has been effected.  Our stock transfer agent, Equiserve LLP, whom we
refer  to  as  the  exchange  agent,   will  implement  the  exchange  of  stock
certificates  representing outstanding shares of Common Stock. You will be asked
to surrender to the exchange  agent  certificates  representing  your  pre-split
shares in exchange  for  certificates  representing  your  post-split  shares in
accordance with the procedures to be set forth in a letter of transmittal  which
we will send.  You will not receive a new stock  certificate  representing  your
post-split   shares  until  you  surrender   your   outstanding   certificate(s)
representing  your pre-split  shares,  together with the properly  completed and
executed letter of transmittal to the exchange agent.

PLEASE DO NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE OR SUBMIT ANY CERTIFICATES UNTIL YOU
ARE REQUESTED TO DO SO.


What will be done with fractional shares?

     We  will  not  issue  scrip  or  fractional  shares,  or  certificates  for
fractional  shares,  in connection  with the reverse stock split.  Should you be
entitled to receive  fractional  shares  because you hold a number of shares not
evenly divisible by the relevant reverse split number determined by our Board of
Directors  (which will be a whole number ranging from two to five),  you will be
entitled, upon surrender to the exchange agent of certificates representing such
shares, to a cash payment (without  interest) in lieu thereof.  The cash payment
will be  equal to the  fraction  to  which  you  would  otherwise  be  entitled,
multiplied  by the average  closing sales prices of the Class A Common Stock (as
adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split) for the 20-trading-days immediately
before  the  effective  time.  If such  price or  prices is not  available,  the
fractional  share  payment will be based on such other price as is determined by
the board of directors.  The  ownership of a fractional  share will not give you
any voting, dividend or other rights except the right to receive payment for the
fractional share as described above.

     Please be aware that, under the escheat laws of your jurisdiction, where we
are  domiciled,  and where funds will be  deposited,  sums due for a  fractional
share that are not timely claimed after the effective time may be required to be
paid to the  designated  agent  for each  such  jurisdiction,  unless  we or the
exchange agent have received  correspondence  concerning  ownership of the funds
within the time permitted by the applicable jurisdiction. Thereafter, if you are
otherwise entitled to receive such funds, you will have to seek them directly in
the state to which they were paid.


Do I have dissenter's rights?

     Under the Georgia Business  Corporation Code  shareholders are not entitled
to dissenter's rights with respect to the proposed  amendments,  and we will not
independently provide shareholders with any such rights.


What are the federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split?

     The  following  is  a  summary  of  certain  material  federal  income  tax
consequences of the reverse stock split;  however, this does not purport to be a
complete  discussion of all of the possible  federal income tax  consequences of


                                       20


the  reverse  stock  split.  It does not discuss  any state,  local,  foreign or
minimum income or other U.S. federal tax consequences. Also, it does not address
the tax consequences to shareholders who are subject to special tax rules,  such
as banks, insurance companies,  regulated investment companies, personal holding
companies, foreign entities,  nonresident alien individuals,  broker-dealers and
tax-exempt  entities.  This  discussion is based on the provisions of the United
States federal income tax law as of the date hereof,  which is subject to change
retroactively  as well as  prospectively.  This  summary  also  assumes that the
pre-split  shares  were,  and the  post-split  shares  will be, held as "capital
assets," as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (generally,
property held for  investment).  Your tax treatment may vary depending upon your
own particular  facts and  circumstances.  Accordingly,  you should consult with
your own tax advisor concerning the effects of the reverse stock split on you.

     You should  recognize no gain or loss upon your exchange of your  pre-split
shares for post-split  shares pursuant to the reverse stock split (except to the
extent of any cash received in lieu of a fraction of your post-split share). You
should treat cash  payments in lieu of a fractional  post-split  share as if the
fractional  share were issued to you and then  redeemed by the company for cash.
You should then recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference,  if any,
between the amount of cash you received and your basis in the fractional share.

     The aggregate tax basis of the  post-split  shares  received in the reverse
stock split  (including  any fraction of a post-split  share deemed to have been
received) will be the same as your  aggregate tax basis in the pre-split  shares
you exchanged.  Your holding  period for the post-split  shares will include the
period during which the you held the pre-split shares surrendered in the reverse
stock split.

     We   believe   that  the   reverse   stock   split   will   qualify   as  a
"recapitalization" under Section 368(a)(1)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code. As a
result,  the  company  will not  recognize  any gain or loss as a result  of the
reverse stock split.


What is the recommendation of the Board of Directors?

     The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the proposal to approve
the amendments to our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to effect a
reverse  split of our issued and  outstanding  Common Stock and to file one such
amendment.  The reverse split will combine a whole number of outstanding  shares
between  two and five of each of the  Class A Common  Stock  and  Class B Common
Stock  into  one  share  of  Class A Common  Stock  and  Class B  Common  Stock,
respectively,  depending upon a  determination  by our board of directors that a
reverse  stock  split is in our best  interests  and the best  interests  of our
shareholders.


Independent Auditors

      The  board  of  directors  has  selected  Ernst & Young  LLP to  serve  as
independent  auditors of our financial  statements  for the 2002 fiscal year. We
have been  advised by Ernst & Young LLP that  neither it nor any member  thereof
has any direct or material indirect  financial interest in our company or any of
our subsidiaries in any capacity.  One or more  representatives of Ernst & Young
will be  present  at the  annual  meeting,  will have an  opportunity  to make a
statement  if he or she  desires to do so, and will be  available  to respond to
appropriate questions.

Audit Fees

      Ernst & Young LLP billed us an  aggregate  of  $319,800  for  professional
services rendered for the audit of our annual financial  statements for the 2001
fiscal  year and for review of the  financial  statements  included in our Forms
10-Q for 2001.

Financial Information Systems Design and Implementation Fees

      No  fees  were  paid  Ernst & Young  LLP  for any  information  technology
services (of the type described in Rule 2-01(c)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-X) during
2001.

All Other Fees

      Ernst & Young LLP billed us an  aggregate  of  $173,700  for all  services
rendered to us during fiscal 2001 other than the audit services described above.
The other fees included fees for audit related  services of $84,200 and fees for
non-audit services of $89,500. Audit related services generally include fees for
pension and statutory audits and accounting consultations. None of the non-audit
services fees were for financial information systems design and implementation.



                                       21


      The  audit   committee  has  considered   whether  the  provision  of  the
information  technology  services and other services covered in the two previous
paragraphs are compatible with maintaining Ernst & Young LLP's independence.


 Annual Report on Form 10-K

     We will provide without  charge,  at the written request of any shareholder
of record or  beneficial  owner of our stock as of March 1, 2002,  a copy of our
Annual Report on Form 10-K,  including the  financial  statements  and financial
statement schedule,  as filed with the SEC, excluding exhibits.  We will provide
exhibits  if they  are  requested  by  eligible  shareholders.  We may  impose a
reasonable  fee for providing  the  exhibits.  Requests for copies of our Annual
Report on Form 10-K should be mailed to:

                                Dan River Inc.
                                P.O. Box 261
                                Danville, Virginia 24543
                                Attention: Denise Laussade,
                                       Vice President-Finance


Shareholder Nominations for Election of Directors

     Under our  bylaws,  only  persons  nominated  in  accordance  with  certain
procedures will be eligible for election as directors. Shareholders are entitled
to nominate persons for election to the board of directors only if:

    o   the shareholder is otherwise  entitled to vote generally in the election
        of directors, and

    o   timely notice in writing is sent to our Secretary.

     To be timely,  a  shareholder's  notice must be  received at our  principal
executive offices not less than 130 days prior to the meeting.

     If less than 60 days' notice or prior public  disclosure of the date of the
annual meeting is given or made to shareholders,  notice by the shareholder must
be received no later than the close of  business on the 10th day  following  the
day on which  such  notice of the date the  meeting  was  mailed or such  public
disclosure was made, whichever occurs first.

     The shareholder's notice must set forth for each person to be nominated for
election as a director:

    o   the name, age,  business address and residence  address of the person, o
        the principal occupation or employment of the person,

    o   the number of shares of each class of common stock beneficially owned by
        the person, and

    o   other  information  that would be required to be disclosed in connection
        with the solicitation of proxies for the election of directors  pursuant
        to Regulation 14(a) under the Exchange Act.

     The  shareholder's  notice  must  also  set  forth,  with  respect  to  the
shareholder giving such notice:

    o   the name and address of the shareholder, and

    o   the number of shares of each class of common stock beneficially owned by
        the shareholder.

     We may require any proposed  nominee to furnish such other  information  as
may  reasonably be required by us to determine the  eligibility of such proposed
nominee to serve as a director.


Shareholder Proposals

     Any  shareholder  proposals  intended  to be  presented  at our 2003 annual
meeting of shareholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934  must be  received  no  later  than  November  15,  2002 in  order to be
considered  for inclusion in the proxy  materials to be distributed by the board
of directors in connection with the meeting. Any shareholder  proposals intended
to be  presented  at our  2003  annual  meeting  of  shareholders  but not to be


                                       22


included in the  board's  proxy  materials  under Rule 14a-8 must be received no
later  than  December  21,  2002 in order to be  considered  at the 2003  annual
meeting.  However,  if we give  less  than 60 days'  notice  of our 2003  annual
meeting of shareholders,  then shareholder proposals intended to be presented at
the meeting but not to be included  in the board's  proxy  materials  under Rule
14a-8 must be  received  no later than ten days after  notice of the 2003 annual
meeting is mailed or a press  release or other public  communication  announcing
the meeting date is made.


Expenses of Solicitation

     We will bear the cost of  solicitation of proxies by the board of directors
in connection with the annual meeting. No specific fee was allocated to services
provided in  connection  with the  solicitation  of proxies.  We will  reimburse
brokers,  fiduciaries and custodians for reasonable expenses incurred by them in
forwarding  proxy  materials to beneficial  owners of Common Stock held in their
names.

                                    By Order of the Board of Directors

                                    /s/ Harry L. Goodrich

                                    Harry L. Goodrich
                                    Secretary

     Our annual  report on Form 10-K for fiscal  2001,  which  includes  audited
financial statements,  accompanies this proxy statement.  The annual report does
not form any part of the material for the solicitation of proxies.

                               ------------------




                                     ANNEX A


Text of Amendment to Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Dan River
Inc.


Dan River Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State
of Georgia, hereby certifies as follows:

1.    The name of the corporation is Dan River Inc. (the "Corporation").

2.    Pursuant to Section  14-2-1007 of the Georgia Business  Corporation  Code,
      these  Articles of Amendment  amend the Amended and  Restated  Articles of
      Incorporation  of the  Corporation  (the "Articles of  Amendment").  These
      Articles  of  Amendment  were  duly  adopted  by the  shareholders  of the
      Corporation in accordance with the provisions of Section  14-2-1003 of the
      Georgia Business Corporation Code on April 30, 2002.

3.    Upon the  filing in the office of the  Secretary  of State of the State of
      Georgia of these  Articles  of  Amendment  (the  "Effective  Date"),  each
      _________*_________  (____*___)  shares of all classes of Common  Stock of
      the  Corporation  then  issued  and  outstanding  automatically  shall  be
      combined into one (1) share of fully paid and non-assessable  Common Stock
      of the Corporation of the same class.  The number of authorized  shares of
      each class of the Common Stock and the par value of the Common Stock shall
      remain  unchanged.  There shall be no  fractional  shares of Common  Stock
      issued.  Each  holder of shares of  Common  Stock who would  otherwise  be
      entitled to receive a fractional share shall be entitled to receive a cash
      payment in lieu  thereof  equal to the  fraction to which the  shareholder
      would otherwise be entitled multiplied by the average of the closing sales
      prices of the Common  Stock (as  adjusted to reflect the reverse  split of
      shares hereby) for the 20 trading days immediately  prior to the Effective
      Date, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange.  If such price or prices
      are not  available,  or if the stock is no  longer  traded on the New York
      Stock Exchange,  the fractional share payment shall be based on such other
      price as determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.


- ----------------

* By approving this amendment,  shareholders will approve the combination of any
number of shares of Common Stock between and  including two and five  (including
numbers  consisting of whole  shares) into one share.  The Articles of Amendment
filed  with the  Georgia  Secretary  of State  will  include  only  that  number
determined  by the  Board  of  Directors  to be in  the  best  interests  of the
Corporation and its shareholders.  The Board of Directors will not implement any
amendment providing for a different split ratio.

                                      A-1

                                                                 CLASS A - FRONT

                                 DAN RIVER INC.
                         PROXY FOR CLASS A COMMON STOCK
                    PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                     FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                                ON APRIL 30, 2002

         The  undersigned  hereby  appoints  Joseph L.  Lanier,  Jr. and John F.
Maypole,  and  each of them,  proxies,  with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution,  for and in the name of the  undersigned,  to vote all shares of
Class A Common Stock of Dan River Inc. that the undersigned would be entitled to
vote if personally  present at the annual meeting of  shareholders to be held on
April 30, 2002, at 10:00 a.m., EDT, at the Riverview Inn, Danville,  Virginia or
at any  adjournment  thereof,  upon the matters  described  in the  accompanying
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy  Statement,  receipt of which
is hereby  acknowledged,  and upon any other  business  that may  properly  come
before the annual meeting or any adjournment thereof.  Said proxies are directed
to vote on the matters described in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
and Proxy  Statement as follows,  and  otherwise in their  discretion  upon such
other  business  as may  properly  come  before the  meeting or any  adjournment
thereof.

         THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, BUT IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED,
THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ITEMS 1 AND 2.

         PLEASE  VOTE,  DATE AND SIGN ON  REVERSE  AND  RETURN  PROMPTLY  IN THE
ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

         Unless you are  voting  electronically  or by  telephone,  please  sign
exactly as your name or names appear  hereon.  For more than one owners as shown
above, each should sign. When signing in a fiduciary or representative capacity,
please give full title.  If this proxy is submitted by a corporation,  it should
be  executed  in the full  corporate  name by a duly  authorized  officer,  if a
partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.


PLEASE RECORD ADDRESS CHANGE OR ANY COMMENTS HERE:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------






 
DAN RIVER INC.                                                                                     CLASS A - BACK
C/O EQUISERVE
P.O. BOX 43068
PROVIDENCE, RI 02940

Vote by Telephone                                             Vote by Internet

It's fast, convenient, and immediate!                         It's fast, convenient, and your vote is immediately
Call Toll-Free on a Touch-Tone Phone                          confirmed and posted.
1-877-PRX-VOTE (1-877-779-8683).

Follow these four easy steps:                                 Follow these four easy steps:

1.  Read the accompanying Proxy                               1.  Read the accompanying Proxy
     Statement Proxy Card.                                        Statement Proxy Card.

2.  Call the toll-free number                                 2.  Go to http://www.eproxyvote.com/drf
     1-877-PRX-VOTE (1-877-779-8683).
                                                              3.  Enter your 14-digitVoter Control Number
3.  Enter your 14-digit Voter Control Number                      located on your Proxy Card above your name.
     located on your Proxy Card above your name.
                                                              4.  Follow the instructions provided.
4.  Follow the recorded instructions.

Your vote is important!                                       Your vote is important!
Call 1-877-PRX-VOTE anytime!                                  Go to http://www.eproxyvote.com/drf anytime!
                                                                    -----------------------------


Do not return your Proxy Card if you are voting by Telephone or Internet.

[X]  PLEASE MARK VOTES AS IN THIS EXAMPLE

                                           FOR                WITHHOLD
                                      Nominee listed         AUTHORITY
                                                             to vote for
                                                            nominee listed

                                            [ ]                 [ ]
1.       To elect one (1) director:

         Richard L. Williams

2.       To  approve   amendments  to  the  amended  and  restated  articles  of
         incorporation  which will effect a reverse stock split of each class of
         our issued and  outstanding  Common Stock and combine a whole number of
         shares of Common  Stock  between  two and five into one share of Common
         Stock,  depending upon a determination by the board of directors that a
         reverse stock split is in our best  interests and the best interests of
         our  shareholders,  and  authorizing the board of directors to file one
         such amendment.

                       FOR               AGAINST          ABSTAIN

                       [ ]                 [ ]              [ ]

                       MARK BOX AT RIGHT IF AN ADDRESS CHANGE OR COMMENT
                       HAS BEEN NOTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THE CARD.       [ ]

UNLESS YOU ARE VOTING ELECTRONICALLY OR BY TELEPHONE,  PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND
SIGN THIS PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE,  WHETHER OR NOT
YOU PLAN TO ATTEND  THE  ANNUAL  MEETING  ON APRIL 30,  2002.  IF YOU ATTEND THE
ANNUAL MEETING,  YOU MAY VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU WISH, EVEN IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY
RETURNED YOUR PROXY OR VOTED ELECTRONICALLY OR BY TELEPHONE.

RECORD DATE SHARES:

Please be sure to sign and date this proxy.

                                      ------------------------------------------
                                               Date
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shareholder sign here                      Co-owner sign here
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                 CLASS B - FRONT

                                 DAN RIVER INC.
                         PROXY FOR CLASS A COMMON STOCK
                    PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                     FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                                ON APRIL 30, 2002

         The  undersigned  hereby  appoints  Joseph L.  Lanier,  Jr. and John F.
Maypole,  and  each of them,  proxies,  with  full  power  of  substitution  and
resubstitution,  for and in the name of the  undersigned,  to vote all shares of
Class A Common Stock of Dan River Inc. that the undersigned would be entitled to
vote if personally  present at the annual meeting of  shareholders to be held on
April 30, 2002, at 10:00 a.m., EDT, at the Riverview Inn, Danville,  Virginia or
at any  adjournment  thereof,  upon the matters  described  in the  accompanying
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy  Statement,  receipt of which
is hereby  acknowledged,  and upon any other  business  that may  properly  come
before the annual meeting or any adjournment thereof.  Said proxies are directed
to vote on the matters described in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
and Proxy  Statement as follows,  and  otherwise in their  discretion  upon such
other  business  as may  properly  come  before the  meeting or any  adjournment
thereof.

         THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, BUT IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED,
THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ITEMS 1 AND 2.

         PLEASE  VOTE,  DATE AND SIGN ON  REVERSE  AND  RETURN  PROMPTLY  IN THE
ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

         Unless you are  voting  electronically  or by  telephone,  please  sign
exactly as your name or names appear  hereon.  For more than one owners as shown
above, each should sign. When signing in a fiduciary or representative capacity,
please give full title.  If this proxy is submitted by a corporation,  it should
be  executed  in the full  corporate  name by a duly  authorized  officer,  if a
partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.


PLEASE RECORD ADDRESS CHANGE OR ANY COMMENTS HERE:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------







 
DAN RIVER INC.                                                                                   CLASS B - BACK
C/O EQUISERVE
P.O. BOX 43068
PROVIDENCE, RI 02940

Vote by Telephone                                             Vote by Internet

It's fast, convenient, and immediate!                         It's fast, convenient, and your vote is immediately
Call Toll-Free on a Touch-Tone Phone                          confirmed and posted.
1-877-PRX-VOTE (1-877-779-8683).

Follow these four easy steps:                                 Follow these four easy steps:

1.  Read the accompanying Proxy                               1.  Read the accompanying Proxy
     Statement Proxy Card.                                        Statement Proxy Card.

2.  Call the toll-free number                                 2.  Go to http://www.eproxyvote.com/drf
     1-877-PRX-VOTE (1-877-779-8683).
                                                              3.  Enter your 14-digitVoter Control Number
3.  Enter your 14-digit Voter Control Number                      located on your Proxy Card above your name.
     located on your Proxy Card above your name.
                                                              4.  Follow the instructions provided.
4.  Follow the recorded instructions.

Your vote is important!                                       Your vote is important!
Call 1-877-PRX-VOTE anytime!                                  Go to http://www.eproxyvote.com/drf anytime!
                                                                    -----------------------------


Do not return your Proxy Card if you are voting by Telephone or Internet.

[X]  PLEASE MARK VOTES AS IN THIS EXAMPLE

                                           FOR                WITHHOLD
                                      Nominee listed         AUTHORITY
                                                             to vote for
                                                            nominee listed

                                            [ ]                 [ ]
1.       To elect one (1) director:

         Richard L. Williams

2.       To  approve   amendments  to  the  amended  and  restated  articles  of
         incorporation  which will effect a reverse stock split of each class of
         our issued and  outstanding  Common Stock and combine a whole number of
         shares of Common  Stock  between  two and five into one share of Common
         Stock,  depending upon a determination by the board of directors that a
         reverse stock split is in our best  interests and the best interests of
         our  shareholders,  and  authorizing the board of directors to file one
         such amendment.

                       FOR               AGAINST          ABSTAIN

                       [ ]                 [ ]              [ ]

                       MARK BOX AT RIGHT IF AN ADDRESS CHANGE OR COMMENT
                       HAS BEEN NOTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THE CARD.       [ ]

UNLESS YOU ARE VOTING ELECTRONICALLY OR BY TELEPHONE,  PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND
SIGN THIS PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE,  WHETHER OR NOT
YOU PLAN TO ATTEND  THE  ANNUAL  MEETING  ON APRIL 30,  2002.  IF YOU ATTEND THE
ANNUAL MEETING,  YOU MAY VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU WISH, EVEN IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY
RETURNED YOUR PROXY OR VOTED ELECTRONICALLY OR BY TELEPHONE.

RECORD DATE SHARES:

Please be sure to sign and date this proxy.

                                      ------------------------------------------
                                               Date
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shareholder sign here                      Co-owner sign here
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------