<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM WILSONS THE
LEATHER EXPERTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF NOVEMBER 1, 1997 AND FOR THE QUARTER
AND NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED NOVEMBER 1, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998             JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-03-1997             FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-01-1997             NOV-01-1997
<CASH>                                           5,370                   5,370
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   21,784                  21,784
<ALLOWANCES>                                     9,550                   9,550
<INVENTORY>                                    140,132                 140,132
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               161,011                 161,011
<PP&E>                                          24,078                  24,078
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,506                   2,506
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 186,526                 186,526
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           74,500                  74,500
<BONDS>                                         75,000                  75,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                            95                      95
<OTHER-SE>                                      35,987                  35,987
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   186,526                 186,526
<SALES>                                         81,272                 174,694
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                81,272                 174,694
<CGS>                                           57,520                 141,742
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   81,375                 202,088
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 8,207                  10,049
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,521                   4,440
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (10,831)                (41,883)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,179)                (12,387)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (9,652)                (29,496)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  3,763                   3,763
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (5,889)                (25,733)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.62)                  (2.96)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.62)                  (2.96)
        

</TABLE>