<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
Polymer Group, Inc.'s form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 1, 2000 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> APR-02-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUL-01-2000
<CASH> 4,588
<SECURITIES> 16,967
<RECEIVABLES> 152,702
<ALLOWANCES> 9,474
<INVENTORY> 112,811
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 317,142
<PP&E> 1,052,983
<DEPRECIATION> 210,539
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,455,903
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 149,128
<BONDS> 586,433
0
0
<COMMON> 320
<OTHER-SE> 233,954
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,455,903
<SALES> 223,801
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 223,801
<CGS> 172,950
<TOTAL-COSTS> 172,950
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 22,441
<INCOME-PRETAX> 1,046
<INCOME-TAX> 367
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 679
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 741
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 1,420
<EPS-BASIC> 0.04
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.04
</TABLE>