<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains financial information extracted from NS Group, Inc.'s
condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the nine month period
ended July 1, 2000, included in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such condensed consolidated
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000745026
<NAME> NS GROUP, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START> SEP-26-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUL-01-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 2,121
<SECURITIES> 37,091
<RECEIVABLES> 55,465
<ALLOWANCES> 903
<INVENTORY> 66,675
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 183,570
<PP&E> 336,583
<DEPRECIATION> 203,789
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 347,285
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 69,874
<BONDS> 73,203
0
0
<COMMON> 259,231
<OTHER-SE> (63,625)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 347,285
<SALES> 293,546
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 293,546
<CGS> 292,119
<TOTAL-COSTS> 292,119
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 8,985
<INCOME-PRETAX> (25,171)
<INCOME-TAX> 111
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (25,282)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (25,282)
<EPS-BASIC> (1.17)
<EPS-DILUTED> (1.17)
</TABLE>