<ARTICLE>5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF FABRI-CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC. AS OF NOVEMBER 1,
1997 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE THIRTY-NINE WEEKS THEN
ENDED.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-01-1997
<CASH>                                          19,480
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    327,700
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               359,023
<PP&E>                                         199,925
<DEPRECIATION>                                  94,368
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 481,003
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          159,538
<BONDS>                                         88,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         1,040
<OTHER-SE>                                     214,244
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   481,003
<SALES>                                        663,480
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               663,480
<CGS>                                          364,517
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  641,093
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,938
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 17,449
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,544
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             10,905
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (1,136)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,769
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .50