<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
the JG Industries, Inc. Form 10-Q for the third 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>                   9-MOS                     9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         JAN-30-1999               JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                            FEB-01-1998               JAN-26-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              OCT-31-1998               OCT-25-1997
<CASH>                                            213                       164
<SECURITIES>                                        0                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     714                       702
<ALLOWANCES>                                       17                        36
<INVENTORY>                                     9,221                     8,918
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               10,241                    10,106
<PP&E>                                         14,538                    15,300
<DEPRECIATION>                                 10,115                    10,125
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 16,429                    16,932
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           9,717                     8,585
<BONDS>                                         1,914                     1,164
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0                         0
<PREFERRED>                                     1,500                     1,500
<COMMON>                                       11,246                    11,246
<OTHER-SE>                                   (10,073)                   (7,729)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   16,429                    16,932
<SALES>                                        38,145                    37,373
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               38,145                    37,373
<CGS>                                          25,372                    25,105
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  25,372                    25,105
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               14,172                    14,261
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  380                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 52                        82
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (1,905)                   (2,144)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       29                        29
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (1,934)                   (2,173)
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   124                         0
<CHANGES>                                           0                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (1,810)                   (2,173)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (1.80)                    (2.14)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (1.80)                    (2.14)
        

</TABLE>