<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