<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Financial Statements of Catherines Stores Corporation and
Subsidiaries and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000875194
<NAME> CATHERINES STORES CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              FEB-2-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                MAY-3-1997
<CASH>                                           4,645
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,581
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     56,065
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                70,378
<PP&E>                                          62,249
<DEPRECIATION>                                (27,048)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 132,431
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           41,507
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        46,504
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   132,431
<SALES>                                         70,968
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                70,968
<CGS>                                           48,671
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   48,671
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                19,929
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 322
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,046
<INCOME-TAX>                                       833
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,213
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,213
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.17
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.17