<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM WILSONS THE
LEATHER EXPERTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF JULY 31, 1999 AND FOR THE THREE
MONTH AND SIX MONTH PERIODS ENDED JULY 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FIANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-29-2000             JAN-29-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-02-1999             JAN-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1999             JUL-31-1999
<CASH>                                          23,936                  23,936
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   11,830                  11,830
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,408                   5,408
<INVENTORY>                                    103,132                 103,132
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               135,718                 135,718
<PP&E>                                          49,734                  49,734
<DEPRECIATION>                                  10,191                  10,191
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 178,144                 178,144
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           43,272                  43,272
<BONDS>                                         48,890                  48,890
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           109                     109
<OTHER-SE>                                      82,953                  82,953
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   178,144                 178,144
<SALES>                                         52,822                 133,340
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                52,822                 133,340
<CGS>                                           46,210                 104,512
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   70,123                 152,995
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,531                   2,989
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,134                   2,203
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (19,966)                (24,847)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (7,885)                 (9,769)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (12,081)                (15,078)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (839)                   (839)
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (12,920)                (15,917)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (1.19)                  (1,47)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.19)                  (1.47)


</TABLE>