<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000874214
<NAME> ANNTAYLOR STORES CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1998
<CASH>                                           31369
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    61023
<ALLOWANCES>                                       812
<INVENTORY>                                      97234
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                210105
<PP&E>                                          236693
<DEPRECIATION>                                   97083
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  683661
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            87924
<BONDS>                                         100000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           174
<OTHER-SE>                                      383933
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    683661
<SALES>                                         781028
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                781028
<CGS>                                           411756
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   411756
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                319820
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               19989
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  29463
<INCOME-TAX>                                     17466
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              11997
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (173)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     11824
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.46
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.46