PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 27 -- Columbia Sportswear Company(R) (Nasdaq: COLM) today announced record net sales of $173.9 million for its third quarter ended September 30, 1998, an increase of 12.8% over net sales of $154.2 million for the same period of last year. The Company reported net income for the period of $22.9 million, or $0.90 per diluted share which represents an increase of 6% when compared to pro forma earnings of $21.6 million, or $0.85 per share for the third quarter of 1997.

Earnings per share calculations are computed using 25.5 million weighted average shares for both periods presented.

The Company attributed the increase in net sales for the quarter to strong growth in the Company's European and Canadian businesses which were up 88.4% and 22.3%, respectively, when compared to the third quarter of 1997. Earnings growth was primarily attributable to stronger than anticipated gross margins on Fall Outerwear sales.

For the nine months ended September 30, 1998, Columbia Sportswear has reported net sales growth of 22.3% and pro forma net earnings growth of 28.6%.

Net sales for the nine month period ended September 30, 1998 were $316.1 million and net earnings were $25.5 million, or $1.08 per share (diluted) on 23.6 million weighted average shares. For comparative purposes, earnings per share for the first nine months of 1998 of $1.08 was up 28.6% when compared to pro forma earnings per share for the first nine months of 1997 which was $0.84 when computed using the same share count of 23.6 million weighted average shares.

For the first nine months of 1998 growth in net sales resulted froplete information about the Company, investors should keep in mind that forward-looking statements are inherently less reliable than historical information.

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