<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This Exhibit 27 contains summary financial information extracted from NS Group,
Inc.'s consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2000, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such consolidated financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000745026
<NAME> NS GROUP, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S.
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-2000
<PERIOD-START> SEP-25-1999
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 960
<SECURITIES> 29,945
<RECEIVABLES> 58,694
<ALLOWANCES> 617
<INVENTORY> 58,077
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 183,162
<PP&E> 330,178
<DEPRECIATION> 204,205
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 345,337
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 66,600
<BONDS> 72,915
0
0
<COMMON> 259,529
<OTHER-SE> (60,684)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 345,337
<SALES> 355,086
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 355,086
<CGS> 352,875
<TOTAL-COSTS> 352,875
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 11,745
<INCOME-PRETAX> (24,638)
<INCOME-TAX> (590)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (24,048)
<DISCONTINUED> 1,149
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (22,899)
<EPS-BASIC> (1.06)
<EPS-DILUTED> (1.06)
</TABLE>