<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
the JG Industries, Inc. Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal year 1999 
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                      <C> 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                    6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         JAN-30-1999              JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                            FEB-01-1998              JAN-26-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              AUG-01-1998              JUL-26-1997
<CASH>                                            342                        3
<SECURITIES>                                        0                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     521                      434
<ALLOWANCES>                                       20                       42
<INVENTORY>                                     7,828                    7,483
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                8,750                    8,213
<PP&E>                                         15,148                   15,193
<DEPRECIATION>                                 10,353                    9,880
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 15,304                   15,177
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           8,078                    6,413
<BONDS>                                         1,921                    1,164
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0                        0
<PREFERRED>                                     1,500                    1,500
<COMMON>                                       11,246                   11,246
<OTHER-SE>                                    (9,626)                  (7,300)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   15,304                   15,177
<SALES>                                        24,420                   24,443
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               24,420                   24,443
<CGS>                                          16,453                   16,664
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  16,453                   16,664
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                9,344                    9,456
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0                        0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 77                       35
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (1,501)                  (1,758)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       20                       20
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (1,521)                  (1,778)
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   124                        0
<CHANGES>                                           0                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (1,397)                  (1,778)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (1.38)                   (1.74)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (1.38)                   (1.74)
        

</TABLE>