<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONVERSE
INC., JULY 1, 2000 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-02-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-01-2000
<CASH>                                           2,559
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   47,314
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,298
<INVENTORY>                                     69,037
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               119,639
<PP&E>                                          37,617
<DEPRECIATION>                                  21,143
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 148,189
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          245,378
<BONDS>                                         74,265
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        17,514
<OTHER-SE>                                   (139,808)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   148,189
<SALES>                                        108,919
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               117,137
<CGS>                                           85,126
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  113,832
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   735
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              10,981
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (8,411)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,366
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (9,777)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (9,777)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.56)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.56)