<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM WILSONS THE
LEATHER EXPERTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF OCTOBER 31, 1998 AND FOR THE QUARTER
AND NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1998 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>                          JAN-30-1999             JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-02-1998             FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998             OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                           6,927                   6,927
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   20,221                  20,221
<ALLOWANCES>                                     7,928                   7,928
<INVENTORY>                                    160,519                 160,519
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               182,845                 182,845
<PP&E>                                          41,866                  41,866
<DEPRECIATION>                                   6,102                   6,102
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 222,518                 222,518
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           83,494                  83,494
<BONDS>                                         75,000                  75,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           108                     108
<OTHER-SE>                                      61,464                  61,464
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   222,518                 222,518
<SALES>                                         87,493                 201,228
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                87,493                 201,228
<CGS>                                           61,404                 154,149
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   86,801                 222,398
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,226                   2,948
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,695                   5,667
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (3,229)                (29,785)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,239)                (11,380)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,990)                (18,405)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,990)                (18,405)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.18)                  (1.80)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.18)                  (1.80)
        

</TABLE>