
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
the Polymer Group Inc. Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 29, 1997 and 
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-START>                            DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              MAR-29-1997
<CASH>                                         32,584 
<SECURITIES>                                   11,978 
<RECEIVABLES>                                  71,298 
<ALLOWANCES>                                    4,008 
<INVENTORY>                                    56,781 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              187,034       
<PP&E>                                        474,942      
<DEPRECIATION>                                 71,497    
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                706,477      
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          96,153    
<BONDS>                                       360,619  
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0 
<PREFERRED>                                         0 
<COMMON>                                          320 
<OTHER-SE>                                    192,910       
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  706,477         
<SALES>                                       128,947          
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              128,947          
<CGS>                                          96,362          
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  96,362          
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0       
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0      
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              6,834       
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 7,415       
<INCOME-TAX>                                    2,453      
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             4,962      
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0  
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0      
<CHANGES>                                           0  
<NET-INCOME>                                    4,962 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     .16 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .16 
        

</TABLE>
