<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM WEST MARINE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1996
<CASH>                                           1,821
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,311
<ALLOWANCES>                                       505
<INVENTORY>                                    113,714
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               130,516
<PP&E>                                          27,016
<DEPRECIATION>                                  15,168
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 200,922
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           49,907
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            16
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   200,922
<SALES>                                        253,974
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               253,974
<CGS>                                          178,332
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  178,332
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                55,997
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,070
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 18,575
<INCOME-TAX>                                     7,550
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,025
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,025
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .66
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .66