
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM BLAIR
CORPORATIONS' 9/30/96 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH THIRD QUARTER, 1996 10-Q FILING FOR BLAIR CORPORATION.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000071525
<NAME> BLAIR CORPORATION
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                       4,638,781
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                              197,444,181<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                55,414,572
<INVENTORY>                                100,093,977
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           330,215,237
<PP&E>                                      99,106,643
<DEPRECIATION>                              44,847,201
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             385,478,779
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       90,551,943
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       419,810
<OTHER-SE>                                 212,554,026<F2>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               385,478,779
<SALES>                                    391,753,104
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           425,415,086
<CGS>                                      192,356,038
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              401,748,774
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                            28,390,677
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,961,576
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             23,666,312
<INCOME-TAX>                                 9,002,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         14,664,312
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                14,664,312
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.57
<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>
