<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COST PLUS, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MAY 3, 1997
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-03-1997
<CASH>                                           5,291
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     40,611
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                48,308
<PP&E>                                          91,948
<DEPRECIATION>                                  32,354
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 116,444
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           22,617
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               81
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      73,345
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   116,444
<SALES>                                         48,532
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                48,532
<CGS>                                           31,806
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   48,032
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 321
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    179
<INCOME-TAX>                                        72
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                107
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       107
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .01