<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Statements of Income and the Consolidated Balance
Sheets of Catherines Stores Corporation for the quarter ended November 1, 1997
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000875194
<NAME> CATHERINES STORES CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              FEB-2-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                NOV-1-1997
<CASH>                                           3,315
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,562
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     59,050
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                70,677
<PP&E>                                          66,583
<DEPRECIATION>                                (31,270)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 132,299
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           40,228
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        46,571
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   132,299
<SALES>                                        209,302
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               209,302
<CGS>                                          145,442
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  145,442
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                57,869
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,008
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,983
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,043
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,940
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,940
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    $0.40
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    $0.40