<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 AUGUST 2, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-02-1996 <PERIOD-END> AUG-02-1996 <CASH> 593 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 713 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 28,915 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 31,163 <PP&E> 41,390 <DEPRECIATION> 17,999 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 55,759 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 43,879 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 122 <OTHER-SE> 11,757 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 55,759 <SALES> 31,708 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 31,708 <CGS> 22,350 <TOTAL-COSTS> 22,350 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 13,754 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 603 <INCOME-PRETAX> (4,998) <INCOME-TAX> 0 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (4,998) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (4,998) <EPS-PRIMARY> (.41) <EPS-DILUTED> (.41)