
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BLAIR
CORPORATIONS' 6/30/96 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH SECOND QUARTER, 1996 10-Q FILING FOR BLAIR CORPORATION.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000071525
<NAME> BLAIR CORPORATION
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                       4,989,128
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                              203,345,604<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                54,125,004
<INVENTORY>                                 76,342,922
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           309,676,910
<PP&E>                                      98,501,817
<DEPRECIATION>                              43,963,281
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             365,237,477
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       70,015,118
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       419,810
<OTHER-SE>                                 212,814,549<F2>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               365,237,477
<SALES>                                    279,657,687
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           301,996,073
<CGS>                                      137,132,372
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              280,665,399
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                            19,976,403
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,592,053
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             21,330,674
<INCOME-TAX>                                 8,147,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         13,183,674
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                13,183,674
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.41
<FN>
<F1>AMOUNT REPRESENTS NET RECEIVABLES.
<F2>AMOUNT INCLUDES ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL, RETAINED EARNINGS, TREASURY 
STOCK AND THE EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN RECEIVABLE.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>
