<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements of Polymer Group, Inc. for the three and nine months ended
September 28, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                      <C>   
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                    9-MOS    
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-28-1996              DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                            JUN-30-1996              DEC-31-1995 
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-28-1996              SEP-28-1996
<CASH>                                         27,430                   27,430
<SECURITIES>                                   11,289                   11,289
<RECEIVABLES>                                  71,048                   71,048 
<ALLOWANCES>                                    2,425                    2,425 
<INVENTORY>                                    51,728                   51,728 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              171,448                  171,448
<PP&E>                                        461,658                  461,658
<DEPRECIATION>                                 58,680                   58,680
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                684,382                  684,382
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          85,409                   85,409
<BONDS>                                       366,309                  366,309  
<COMMON>                                          320                      320  
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0                        0
<PREFERRED>                                         0                        0
<OTHER-SE>                                    191,311                  191,311
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  684,382                  684,382
<SALES>                                       135,042                  386,350
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              135,042                  386,350 
<CGS>                                         101,208                  290,856
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 101,208                  290,856
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0                        0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0                        0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              7,089                   26,694
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 9,592                   13,483 
<INCOME-TAX>                                    4,061                    5,837
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             5,531                    7,646
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0                  (13,932)
<CHANGES>                                           0                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                    5,531                   (9,306)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     .17                     (.35)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .17                     (.35)
        
                                  


</TABLE>