<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF CHICO'S FAS, INC. FOR THE THIRTY-NINE WEEKS
ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                      14,467,578
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  838,039
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  8,930,134
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            26,763,068
<PP&E>                                      26,220,101
<DEPRECIATION>                               7,513,863
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              46,979,352
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        9,105,508
<BONDS>                                      6,758,186
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        82,765
<OTHER-SE>                                  31,032,893
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                46,979,352
<SALES>                                     80,008,599
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            80,008,599
<CGS>                                       32,821,917
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               32,821,917
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            34,695,816
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             136,837
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             12,354,029
<INCOME-TAX>                                 4,941,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          7,413,029
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 7,413,029
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .91
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .88