<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements of Cost Plus, Inc. for the six months ended August 8, 1997
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-02-1997
<CASH>                                             786
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     50,557
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                53,952
<PP&E>                                          95,382
<DEPRECIATION>                                  33,923
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 123,682
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           28,992
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            82
<OTHER-SE>                                      74,226
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   123,682
<SALES>                                         95,819
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                95,819
<CGS>                                           62,364
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   94,548
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 781
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    490
<INCOME-TAX>                                       196
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       294
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .03
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .03