<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 2000
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-29-2000               JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-31-1999               FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                              JUL-31-1999               AUG-01-1998
<CASH>                                             92                       342
<SECURITIES>                                        0                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     401                       521
<ALLOWANCES>                                       16                        20
<INVENTORY>                                     6,770                     7,828
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                7,549                     8,750
<PP&E>                                         13,971                    15,148
<DEPRECIATION>                                  9,907                    10,353
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 13,085                    15,304
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           8,005                     8,078
<BONDS>                                           746                     1,921
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0                         0
<PREFERRED>                                     1,500                     1,500
<COMMON>                                       11,246                    11,246
<OTHER-SE>                                   (10,473)                   (9,626)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   13,085                    15,304
<SALES>                                        23,640                    24,420
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               23,640                    24,420
<CGS>                                          15,746                    16,453
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  15,746                    16,453
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                8,923                     9,344
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 63                        77
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (1,132)                   (1,501)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       19                        20
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (1,151)                   (1,521)
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0                       124
<CHANGES>                                           0                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (1,151)                   (1,397)
<EPS-BASIC>                                    (1.15)                    (1.38)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (1.15)                    (1.38)


</TABLE>