<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF FABRI-CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC. AS OF JULY 27, 1996
AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE TWENTY-SIX WEEKS THEN ENDED.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-27-1996
<CASH>                                           7,201
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    342,272
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               359,227
<PP&E>                                         171,345
<DEPRECIATION>                                  73,337
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 472,978
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          131,493
<BONDS>                                        154,983
<COMMON>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            1,004
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     170,946
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   472,978
<SALES>                                        391,893
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               391,893
<CGS>                                          221,405
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  388,266
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,780
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,153)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (807)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,346)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,346)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.07)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.07)