<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF FABRI-CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC. AS OF AUGUST 2,
1997 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE TWENTY-SIX WEEKS THEN
ENDED.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-02-1997
<CASH>                                          12,603
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    315,377
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               338,963
<PP&E>                                         186,871
<DEPRECIATION>                                  90,282
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 452,375
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          140,174
<BONDS>                                         90,500
<COMMON>                                         1,033
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     203,233
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   452,375
<SALES>                                        416,300
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               416,300
<CGS>                                          231,906
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  410,583
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,149
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,568
<INCOME-TAX>                                       963
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,605
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (1,136)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       469
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .02