<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<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.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<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
0
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)
</TABLE>