
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
Polymer Group Inc.'s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 28, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-START>                            DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              JUN-28-1997
<CASH>                                         31,855
<SECURITIES>                                   12,677
<RECEIVABLES>                                  79,216
<ALLOWANCES>                                    3,885
<INVENTORY>                                    61,322
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              199,091
<PP&E>                                        485,053
<DEPRECIATION>                                 78,407
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                718,494
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          74,206
<BONDS>                                       390,113
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0
<PREFERRED>                                         0
<COMMON>                                          320
<OTHER-SE>                                    199,251
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  718,494
<SALES>                                       260,455
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              260,455
<CGS>                                         193,154
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 193,154
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             13,532
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                16,401
<INCOME-TAX>                                    5,427
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            10,974
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                   10,974
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     .34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .34
        



</TABLE>
