<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COST PLUS, INC. FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY
31, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1998
<CASH>                                          27,434
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     56,606
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                87,177
<PP&E>                                          90,502
<DEPRECIATION>                                  36,963
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 152,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           34,547
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            87
<OTHER-SE>                                      95,522
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   152,000
<SALES>                                        260,494
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               260,494
<CGS>                                          164,394
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  242,376
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,679
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 16,439
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,432
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,007
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    10,007
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.15