<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE WET SEAL, INC. BANANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS.
</LEGEND> 
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-03-1997
<CASH>                                      65,631,000
<SECURITIES>                                24,200,000
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,812,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 30,271,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           128,807,000
<PP&E>                                      82,631,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              50,072,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             168,837,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       65,261,000
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,354,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  93,281,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               168,837,000
<SALES>                                     95,563,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            95,563,000
<CGS>                                       70,122,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               20,197,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           (714,000)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              5,958,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,443,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          3,515,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 3,515,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    $0.25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    $0.25