<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM LOT$OFF
STORES CORPORATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED
AUGUST 1, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-01-1997
<CASH>                                             453
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      616
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     11,075
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                12,694
<PP&E>                                           7,442
<DEPRECIATION>                                   3,625
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  16,942
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            6,197
<BONDS>                                          4,485
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      8,271
<COMMON>                                             9
<OTHER-SE>                                     (2,380)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    16,942
<SALES>                                         22,300
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                22,300
<CGS>                                           14,934
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   14,934
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,640
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 269
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,543)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,543)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,543)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.49)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.49)