<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
THIRTEEN AND THIRTY-NINE WEEK PERIODS ENDED NOVEMBER 1, 1997 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-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>                                   (0.54)                  (2.55)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.54)                  (2.55)
        

</TABLE>