<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements contained in the body of the accompanying Registration
Statement and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000896421
<NAME> STEEL HEDDLE MFG. CO.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                                                                       <C>  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                             3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                   JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                                       Jan-3-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                                        APR-03-1999
<CASH>                                                                    1,064
<SECURITIES>                                                                  0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                            11,358
<ALLOWANCES>                                                               (165)
<INVENTORY>                                                              19,174
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                         32,785
<PP&E>                                                                   46,040
<DEPRECIATION>                                                           (6,704)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                          196,767
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                    19,916
<BONDS>                                                                 128,239
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                         0
<PREFERRED>                                                                   0
<COMMON>                                                                      0
<OTHER-SE>                                                               24,771
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                            196,767
<SALES>                                                                  18,529
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                         18,529
<CGS>                                                                    14,121
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                            14,121
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                            960
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                              0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                        3,447
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                          (2,774)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                               (735)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                      (2,039)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                                             (2,039)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                 0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                 0
        

</TABLE>