<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-29-2000 <PERIOD-START> JAN-31-1999 <PERIOD-END> MAY-01-1999 <CASH> 26,015 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 4,910 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 28,187 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 69,496 <PP&E> 77,488 <DEPRECIATION> 22,036 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 132,546 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 40,409 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 2,519 <OTHER-SE> 86,284 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 132,546 <SALES> 92,621 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 92,621 <CGS> 53,298 <TOTAL-COSTS> 23,795 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 5 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> (150) <INCOME-PRETAX> 12,377 <INCOME-TAX> 4,994 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 7,383 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 7,383 <EPS-BASIC> 0.29 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.28