<ARTICLE>         5
<LEGEND>
This Schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Balance Sheets of Designs, Inc. as of November 2, 1996, October 
28, 1995, and February 3, 1996 and the Consolidated Statements of Income for
the three, nine and twelve months ended November 2, 1996, October 28, 1995
and February 3, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such 
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                               1,000
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-04-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-02-1996
<CASH>                                          19,954
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      838
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     70,766
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                97,824
<PP&E>                                          70,239
<DEPRECIATION>                                  30,587
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 149,757
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           33,356
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           159
<OTHER-SE>                                     109,732
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   149,757
<SALES>                                        210,818
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               210,818
<CGS>                                          146,450
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  146,450
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                58,116
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 134
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,919
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,846
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,073
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,073
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.26