<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from World of
Science, Inc.'s financial statements for the year ended February 1, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-01-1997
<CASH>                                       2,014,253
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   54,339
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  6,927,037
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             9,749,810
<PP&E>                                       8,510,917
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,527,199
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              15,273,528
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        3,931,408
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        34,230
<OTHER-SE>                                  10,446,145
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                15,273,528
<SALES>                                     44,562,851
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            44,562,851
<CGS>                                       28,629,721
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               28,629,721
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            12,592,779
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             394,505
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              2,945,846
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,210,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          1,735,846
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,735,846
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0