
<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 APRIL 1, 2000 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>                          DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-02-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-01-2000
<CASH>                                          11,527
<SECURITIES>                                    21,846
<RECEIVABLES>                                  147,785
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (9,705)
<INVENTORY>                                    111,642
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               326,648
<PP&E>                                       1,030,757
<DEPRECIATION>                               (195,473)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,457,918
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          125,921
<BONDS>                                        594,804
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           320
<OTHER-SE>                                     237,909
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,457,918
<SALES>                                        231,952
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               231,952
<CGS>                                          180,416
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  180,416
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,130
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,287
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,150
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,137
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,137
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.07


</TABLE>
