WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000820756
<NAME> DUTY FREE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
[DESCRIPTION] ART.5 FDS FOR 2ND QUARTER 10-Q
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-26-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-28-1996
<CASH>                                          36,474
<SECURITIES>                                     9,234
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,132
<ALLOWANCES>                                       743
<INVENTORY>                                    114,385
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               203,372
<PP&E>                                         138,758
<DEPRECIATION>                                  43,967
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 419,670
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           80,582
<BONDS>                                        117,765
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           273
<OTHER-SE>                                     217,116
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   419,670
<SALES>                                        258,733
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               260,684
<CGS>                                          144,956
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  144,956
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    16
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,242
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 13,003
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,812
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,191
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,191
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.30