<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM WILSONS THE
LEATHER EXPERTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF APRIL 29, 2000 AND FOR THE THREE
MONTHS ENDED APRIL 29, 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> FEB-03-2001
<PERIOD-START> JAN-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> APR-29-2000
<CASH> 71,647
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 6,459
<ALLOWANCES> 817
<INVENTORY> 84,897
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 169,844
<PP&E> 69,793
<DEPRECIATION> 14,823
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 226,486
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 61,518
<BONDS> 30,590
0
0
<COMMON> 167
<OTHER-SE> 130,707
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 226,486
<SALES> 90,308
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 90,308
<CGS> 60,194
<TOTAL-COSTS> 90,039
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,003
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> (477)
<INCOME-PRETAX> (1,257)
<INCOME-TAX> (503)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (754)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> (623)
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (1,377)
<EPS-BASIC> (0.08)
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.08)
</TABLE>