<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 2, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAY-02-1997 <PERIOD-END> MAY-02-1997 <CASH> 591 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 207 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 14,050 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 15,249 <PP&E> 7,405 <DEPRECIATION> 3,465 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 19,647 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 13,511 <BONDS> 16,756 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 122 <OTHER-SE> (24,179) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 19,647 <SALES> 11,919 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 11,919 <CGS> 7,721 <TOTAL-COSTS> 7,721 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 6,283 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 142 <INCOME-PRETAX> (2,226) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (2,226) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (2,226) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.18) <EPS-DILUTED> (.18)