<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COST PLUS, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MAY 4, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-04-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-04-1996
<CASH>                                           4,032
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     34,436
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                40,647
<PP&E>                                          84,705
<DEPRECIATION>                                  26,621
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 106,971
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           20,750
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            81
<OTHER-SE>                                      64,963
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   106,971
<SALES>                                         39,127
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                39,127
<CGS>                                           25,552
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   38,891
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 905
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (669)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (274)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (395)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (395)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .06