<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE DONNA
KARAN INTERNATIONAL INC. FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> OCT-01-2000
<CASH> 6,792
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 145,608
<ALLOWANCES> 33,277
<INVENTORY> 73,272
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 240,184
<PP&E> 93,882
<DEPRECIATION> 54,450
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 313,761
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 132,582
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 216
<OTHER-SE> 142,990
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 313,761
<SALES> 497,024
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 497,024
<CGS> 336,073
<TOTAL-COSTS> 336,073
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 141,663
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,785
<INCOME-PRETAX> 17,503
<INCOME-TAX> 7,176
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 10,327
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 10,327
<EPS-BASIC> 0.48
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.47
</TABLE>