<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COST PLUS, INC FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 1, 1998 
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-01-1998
<CASH>                                          11,998
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     61,330
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                77,759
<PP&E>                                          94,862
<DEPRECIATION>                                  40,839
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 142,867
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           26,163
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            88
<OTHER-SE>                                      94,293
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   142,867
<SALES>                                        115,007
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               115,007
<CGS>                                           75,851
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  113,925
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 432
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    650
<INCOME-TAX>                                       253
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                397
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       397
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .04