<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary of financial information extracted
from the condensed consolidated statements of operations and
condensed consolidated balance sheets and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to such financial statements.

</LEGEND>
<CIK>                        0000874214
<NAME>                 ANN TAYLOR STORES CORP.
<MULTIPLIER>                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-03-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-03-1996
<CASH>                                           1,283
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   71,131
<ALLOWANCES>                                       736
<INVENTORY>                                    102,685
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               198,670
<PP&E>                                         196,338
<DEPRECIATION>                                  42,443
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 678,709
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          112,193
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           157
<OTHER-SE>                                     325,531
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   678,700
<SALES>                                        731,142
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               731,142
<CGS>                                          425,225
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  425,225
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               280,680
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              20,956
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,281
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,157
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (876)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.04)