<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)