<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COST PLUS, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 2,
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>                                           1,093
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     56,228
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                60,802
<PP&E>                                          88,636
<DEPRECIATION>                                  29,642
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 128,286
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           42,941
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            81
<OTHER-SE>                                      64,050
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   128,286
<SALES>                                        124,154
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               124,154
<CGS>                                           80,356
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   80,356
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,955
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,466)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,011)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,455)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,455)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.18)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.18)