<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONVERSE
INC. FORM 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-30-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-02-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 2,047
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 35,934
<ALLOWANCES> 2,179
<INVENTORY> 60,310
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 100,309
<PP&E> 37,303
<DEPRECIATION> 22,015
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 126,719
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 231,232
<BONDS> 74,265
0
0
<COMMON> 17,536
<OTHER-SE> (146,634)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 126,719
<SALES> 162,471
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 174,729
<CGS> 127,983
<TOTAL-COSTS> 170,622
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 2,105
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 16,041
<INCOME-PRETAX> (14,039)
<INCOME-TAX> 2,036
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (16,075)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (16,075)
<EPS-BASIC> 0.92
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.92
</TABLE>