<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM WILSONS THE
LEATHER EXPERTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF JULY 29, 2000 AND FOR THE THREE
MONTHS AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JULY 29, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-03-2001 FEB-03-2001
<PERIOD-START> APR-30-2000 JAN-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUL-29-2000 JUL-29-2000
<CASH> 4,586 4,586
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 10,747 10,747
<ALLOWANCES> 678 678
<INVENTORY> 125,249 125,249
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 146,315 146,315
<PP&E> 75,763 75,763
<DEPRECIATION> 17,191 17,191
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 206,452 206,452
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 56,205 56,205
<BONDS> 30,590 30,590
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 167 167
<OTHER-SE> 115,820 115,820
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 206,452 206,452
<SALES> 56,551 146,859
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 56,551 146,859
<CGS> 49,633 109,827
<TOTAL-COSTS> 79,342 169,381
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,393 4,396
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 488 11
<INCOME-PRETAX> (25,672) (26,929)
<INCOME-TAX> (10,269) (10,772)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (15,403) (16,157)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 (623)
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (15,403) (16,780)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.92) (1.01)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.92) (1.01)
</TABLE>