<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)