<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) OF CHICO'S FAS, INC. FOR THE 
THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 29, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY 
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-29-1996
<CASH>                                       3,463,613
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  695,508
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  9,055,363
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            14,616,127
<PP&E>                                      20,867,841
<DEPRECIATION>                               4,501,419
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              32,129,684
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        6,720,889
<BONDS>                                      5,200,336
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        78,821
<OTHER-SE>                                  18,652,668
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                32,129,684
<SALES>                                     48,097,960
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            48,097,960
<CGS>                                       19,742,150
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               19,742,150
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            24,208,523
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             290,997
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              3,856,290
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,542,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          2,314,290
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 2,314,290
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .29