<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
the JG Industries, Inc. Form 10-Q for the first 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>                   3-MOS                     3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         JAN-30-1999               JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                            FEB-01-1998               JAN-26-1997
<PERIOD-END>                              MAY-02-1998               APR-26-1997
<CASH>                                            323                       565
<SECURITIES>                                        0                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     514                       582
<ALLOWANCES>                                       21                        42
<INVENTORY>                                     6,721                     7,481
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                7,758                     8,928
<PP&E>                                         15,079                    15,081
<DEPRECIATION>                                 10,148                     9,636
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 14,452                    16,023
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           5,887                     6,191
<BONDS>                                         2,511                     1,164
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0                         0
<PREFERRED>                                     1,500                     1,500
<COMMON>                                       11,246                    11,246
<OTHER-SE>                                    (8,877)                   (6,220)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   14,452                    16,023
<SALES>                                        11,749                    11,754
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               11,749                    11,754
<CGS>                                           7,779                     7,858
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   7,779                     7,858
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                4,579                     4,587
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 38                         7
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (671)                     (721)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       10                        10
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (681)                     (731)
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0                         0
<CHANGES>                                           0                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (681)                     (731)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (.67)                     (.72)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (.67)                     (.72)
        

</TABLE>