<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM WILSONS THE
LEATHER EXPERTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF AUGUST 1, 1998 AND FOR THE QUARTER
AND SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 1, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRELY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999             JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-03-1998             FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-01-1998             AUG-01-1998
<CASH>                                          42,287                  42,287
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,565                  13,565
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,583                   4,583
<INVENTORY>                                    101,495                 101,495
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               154,331                 154,331
<PP&E>                                          36,394                  36,394
<DEPRECIATION>                                   4,893                   4,893
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 190,000                 190,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           49,149                  49,149
<BONDS>                                         75,000                  75,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           108                     108
<OTHER-SE>                                      63,425                  63,425
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   190,000                 190,000
<SALES>                                         45,724                 113,735
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                45,724                 113,735
<CGS>                                           41,304                  92,745
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   62,210                 135,597
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   969                   1,722
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,821                   2,972
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (19,276)                (26,556)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (7,398)                (10,141)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (11,878)                (16,415)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (11,878)                (16,415)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.16)                  (1.66)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.16)                  (1.66)
        

</TABLE>