We propose a method for conducting stress testing of enterprises in the real sector of the economy. The development includes the formulation and methodology for solving the inverse problem of stress testing and a predictive mathematical model based on data from open sources (companies' financial statements). The inverse task is to determine the characteristics of the financial and economic state of the enterprise, corresponding to various critical combinations of parameters of the financial result of its activities. Our original technique can significantly reduce the complexity and computational complexity of stress testing. We demonstrate our development by the stress testing backbone enterprises in the trade industry. The results obtained will find application in solving optimization problems for making decisions to increase the survivability of various sectors of the economy.