<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF FABRI-CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC. AS OF MAY 3, 1997
AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE THIRTEEN WEEKS THEN ENDED.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-03-1997
<CASH>                                          12,632
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    295,231
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               318,296
<PP&E>                                         180,124
<DEPRECIATION>                                  86,291
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 428,415
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          131,353
<BONDS>                                         76,583
<COMMON>                                         1,018
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     202,425
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   428,415
<SALES>                                        218,826
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               218,826
<CGS>                                          122,688
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  213,126
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,528
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,172
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,564
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,608
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,608
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.14
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.13