<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ANVIL
HOLDINGS' ITS FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JULY 29, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-03-2001
<PERIOD-START> JAN-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUL-29-2000
<CASH> 13,677
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 31,509
<ALLOWANCES> 1,168
<INVENTORY> 38,999
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 86,526
<PP&E> 62,543
<DEPRECIATION> 31,313
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 147,154
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 29,291
<BONDS> 133,889
44,394
0
<COMMON> 39
<OTHER-SE> (68,956)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 147,154
<SALES> 115,964
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 115,964
<CGS> 82,196
<TOTAL-COSTS> 12,444
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 554
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,584
<INCOME-PRETAX> 13,186
<INCOME-TAX> 5,274
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 7,912
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 7,912
<EPS-BASIC> 9.61
<EPS-DILUTED> 9.61
</TABLE>