<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF FABRI-CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC. AS OF OCTOBER 28,
1995 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE THIRTY-NINE WEEKS THEN
ENDED, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000      
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-27-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-29-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-28-1995
<CASH>                                          12,837
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    380,303
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               403,025
<PP&E>                                         160,551
<DEPRECIATION>                                  60,536
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 519,608
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          147,231
<BONDS>                                        195,183
<COMMON>                                           994
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     164,713
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   519,608
<SALES>                                        566,219
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               566,219
<CGS>                                          310,519
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  552,558
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,924
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,737
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,824
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,913
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,913
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.15