<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 50-OFF
STORES, INC.'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED MAY
3, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    3-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                      MAY-03-1996
<PERIOD-END>                           MAY-03-1996
<CASH>                                         440
<SECURITIES>                                     0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,210
<ALLOWANCES>                                     0
<INVENTORY>                                 26,658
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            28,980
<PP&E>                                      41,285
<DEPRECIATION>                              17,081
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              54,317
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       20,684
<BONDS>                                     16,756
<COMMON>                                       122
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            0
<PREFERRED>                                      0
<OTHER-SE>                                  16,756
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                54,317
<SALES>                                     32,415
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            32,415
<CGS>                                       23,233
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               23,233
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            13,732
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             351
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             (4,901)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         (4,901)
<DISCONTINUED>                                   0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  0
<CHANGES>                                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                (4,901)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                 (.40)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 (.40)