
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
the Polymer Group Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 27, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-START>                            DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-27-1997
<CASH>                                         40,995 
<SECURITIES>                                   30,887 
<RECEIVABLES>                                  75,143 
<ALLOWANCES>                                    4,416 
<INVENTORY>                                    63,121 
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              225,964       
<PP&E>                                        507,805
<DEPRECIATION>                                 85,628    
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                776,710      
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          79,614    
<BONDS>                                       444,841  
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0 
<PREFERRED>                                         0 
<COMMON>                                          320 
<OTHER-SE>                                    194,448       
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  776,710         
<SALES>                                       390,166          
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              390,166          
<CGS>                                         291,669          
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 291,669          
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0       
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0      
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             22,110       
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                29,775       
<INCOME-TAX>                                    9,853     
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            19,922      
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0  
<EXTRAORDINARY>                              (12,005)      
<CHANGES>                                           0  
<NET-INCOME>                                    7,917 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     .25<F1> 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     .25<F1>
<FN>

<F1> Income before extraordinary item per common share was $.62 for the nine
     months ended September 27, 1997.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>
