<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS OF DESIGNS, INC. AS OF AUGUST 3, 1996, JULY 29,
1995 AND FEBRUARY 3, 1996 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE
THREE, SIX AND TWELVE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 3, 1996, JULY 29, 1995 AND FEBRUARY
3, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-04-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-03-1996
<CASH>                                          15,771
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      421
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     64,610
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                87,339
<PP&E>                                          69,754
<DEPRECIATION>                                  28,754
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 140,220
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           28,394
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                           158
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     105,297
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   140,220
<SALES>                                        125,860
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               125,860
<CGS>                                           89,138
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   89,138
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                38,387
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  88
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,029)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (438)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (591)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (591)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.04)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0