<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COST PLUS, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 1,
1997.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-01-1997
<CASH>                                             567
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,050
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     72,165
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                78,291
<PP&E>                                          87,778
<DEPRECIATION>                                  35,023
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 142,028
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           34,516
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            87
<OTHER-SE>                                      84,136
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   142,028
<SALES>                                        150,506
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               150,506
<CGS>                                           97,964
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  150,733
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,370
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (1,597)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (639)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (958)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (958)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.11)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.11)