<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-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-05-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-03-1996
<CASH>                                      77,889,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  868,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 29,202,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           114,461,000
<PP&E>                                      80,964,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              47,187,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             152,268,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       64,489,000
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,352,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  76,535,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               152,268,000
<SALES>                                     94,356,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            94,356,000
<CGS>                                       69,570,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               19,695,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           (605,000)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              5,696,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,381,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          3,315,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 3,315,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0