<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE CHILDREN'S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC. AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000
       
                              
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                            JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                               FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                 NOV-01-1997
<CASH>                                               789
<SECURITIES>                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      2,225
<ALLOWANCES>                                           0
<INVENTORY>                                       26,965
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  40,198
<PP&E>                                            47,622
<DEPRECIATION>                                    16,197
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    86,621
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             31,133
<BONDS>                                                0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                            0
<COMMON>                                           2,462
<OTHER-SE>                                        50,344
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                      86,621
<SALES>                                           54,489
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                  54,489
<CGS>                                             33,081
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     13,151
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                      18
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   708
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    5,930
<INCOME-TAX>                                       2,433
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                3,497
<DISCONTINUED>                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    1,743
<CHANGES>                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                       1,754
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                       0.07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       0.07