<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF FABRI-CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC. AS OF APRIL 27,
1996 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE THIRTEEN WEEKS THEN ENDED.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-27-1996
<CASH>                                          10,784
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    327,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               348,896
<PP&E>                                         168,640
<DEPRECIATION>                                  68,745
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 464,635
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          119,343
<BONDS>                                        157,183
<COMMON>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            1,000
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     172,874
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   464,635
<SALES>                                        203,028
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               203,028
<CGS>                                          114,641
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  198,477
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,839
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,712
<INCOME-TAX>                                       642
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,070
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,070
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .06