<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS AND OF THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2000.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001054579
<NAME> HASTINGS ENTERTAINMENT INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-2001
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-30-2000
<CASH>                                           4,951
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    132,777
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               149,309
<PP&E>                                         181,881
<DEPRECIATION>                                 111,572
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 224,108
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           91,824
<BONDS>                                              0
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<COMMON>                                           117
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                         0
<SALES>                                        110,495
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               110,495
<CGS>                                           70,082
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   70,082
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 961
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (746)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (284)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (462)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
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