<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE WET 
SEAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED 
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO 
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           FEB-3-1996
<PERIOD-START>                              FEB-4-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                MAY-4-1996
<CASH>                                      56,370,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   81,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 24,672,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            87,696,000
<PP&E>                                      81,393,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              44,159,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             128,969,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       60,339,000
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,250,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  57,234,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               128,969,000
<SALES>                                     80,575,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            80,575,000
<CGS>                                       61,537,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               18,264,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           (477,000)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,251,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                   529,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            722,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   722,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.06