<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Company's consolidated balance sheet at June 26, 1999 and from the consolidated
statement of operations for the three months and the six months ended June 26,
1999 contained in the Company's quarterly report on form 10-Q and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000910721
<NAME> THE J. JILL GROUP, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-25-1999             DEC-25-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-28-1999             DEC-27-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-26-1999             JUN-26-1999
<CASH>                                          12,276                  12,276
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                     22,058                  22,058
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                50,022                  50,022
<PP&E>                                          49,369                  49,369
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 105,634                 105,634
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           24,428                  24,428
<BONDS>                                         21,344                  21,344
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                            99                      99
<OTHER-SE>                                      59,763                  59,763
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   105,634                 105,634
<SALES>                                         78,041                 142,760
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                78,041                 142,760
<CGS>                                           33,944                  62,542
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   49,775                  93,759
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                21,616                  39,755
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 354                     766
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,296                   8,480
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,518                   3,392
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,778                   5,088
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     3,778                   5,088
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.38                    0.52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.36                    0.48


</TABLE>