<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COST PLUS, INC FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MAY 2, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-02-1998
<CASH>                                          19,106
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     53,949
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                76,267
<PP&E>                                          91,746
<DEPRECIATION>                                  38,925
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 140,286
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           24,865
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            87
<OTHER-SE>                                      93,481
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   140,286
<SALES>                                         56,839
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                56,839
<CGS>                                           37,772
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   56,182
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 178
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    479
<INCOME-TAX>                                       187
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                292
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       292
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .03
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .03