<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 30, 1999 AND FOR THE THREE
AND NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 30, 1999 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-29-2000             JAN-29-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-01-1999             JAN-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-30-1999             OCT-30-1999
<CASH>                                           6,233                   6,233
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   17,717                  17,717
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,482                   1,482
<INVENTORY>                                    152,049                 152,049
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               177,487                 177,487
<PP&E>                                          58,442                  58,442
<DEPRECIATION>                                  11,826                  11,826
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 226,685                 226,685
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           95,253                  95,253
<BONDS>                                         43,890                  43,890
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           110                     110
<OTHER-SE>                                      84,428                  84,428
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   226,685                 226,685
<SALES>                                        104,250                 237,590
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               104,250                 237,590
<CGS>                                           67,578                 172,090
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  100,245                 253,240
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,727                   4,716
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,849                   4,052
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    429                (24,418)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       169                 (9,600)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                260                (14,818)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (119)                   (958)
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                       141                (15,776)
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.01                  (1.45)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.01                  (1.45)


</TABLE>