<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COST PLUS, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 3, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-04-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-03-1996
<CASH>                                           1,314
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     41,231
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                44,605
<PP&E>                                          86,198
<DEPRECIATION>                                  28,172
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 110,853
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           24,934
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            81
<OTHER-SE>                                      64,731
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   110,853
<SALES>                                         79,113
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                79,113
<CGS>                                           51,326
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   78,732
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,384
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,003)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (411)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (592)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (592)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.08)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.08)