<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE AUDITED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CHICO'S FAS, INC. FOR THE FIFTY-THREE WEEKS ENDED
FEBRUARY 1, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-01-1997
<CASH>                                         832,176
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  763,451
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  7,845,362
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            11,204,433
<PP&E>                                      22,330,612
<DEPRECIATION>                               5,093,660
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              31,248,058
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        6,219,618
<BONDS>                                      7,007,842
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        78,841
<OTHER-SE>                                  17,941,757
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                31,248,058
<SALES>                                     64,072,605
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            64,072,605
<CGS>                                       26,712,475
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               26,712,475
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            33,738,523
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             404,054
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              3,217,553
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,287,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          1,930,553
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,930,553
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .24