<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)