<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CHICO'S FAS, INC. FOR THE THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
MAY 3, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-03-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                       3,257,447
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  804,920
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  6,698,382
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            12,328,069
<PP&E>                                      22,837,185
<DEPRECIATION>                               5,501,068
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              32,549,534
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        6,800,305
<BONDS>                                      6,726,175
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        78,841
<OTHER-SE>                                  18,944,213
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                32,549,534
<SALES>                                     18,719,797
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            18,719,797
<CGS>                                        8,116,360
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                8,116,360
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             8,815,301
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             116,680
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,671,456
<INCOME-TAX>                                   669,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          1,002,456
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,002,456
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .13