<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE CHILDREN'S PLACE RETAIL STORES,
INC. AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997             MAY-03-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-01-1997             MAY-03-1997
<CASH>                                           3,422                     765
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      890                   1,545
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                     14,425                  14,828
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                27,688                  26,484
<PP&E>                                          32,382                  36,708
<DEPRECIATION>                                  12,083                  13,292
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  64,479                  65,934
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           15,737                  16,234
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                         1,281                   1,281
<OTHER-SE>                                      26,017                  27,028
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    67,479                  65,934
<SALES>                                        143,838                  39,203
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               143,838                  39,203
<CGS>                                           89,786                  25,185
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   36,750                  10,167
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   879                     100
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,884                     828
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,522                   1,690
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (20,919)                     679
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             30,441                   1,011
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    30,441                   1,011
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0