<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>                           MAY-02-1999
<PERIOD-END>                             JUL-31-1999
<CASH>                                         1,722
<SECURITIES>                                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  5,063
<ALLOWANCES>                                       0
<INVENTORY>                                   46,438
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              69,780
<PP&E>                                        95,825
<DEPRECIATION>                                24,900
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               148,293
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         53,183
<BONDS>                                            0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0
<PREFERRED>                                        0
<COMMON>                                       2,533
<OTHER-SE>                                    89,026
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                  91,559
<SALES>                                       73,920
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              73,920
<CGS>                                         47,123
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 21,622
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  40
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              (39)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                2,283
<INCOME-TAX>                                     881
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            1,402
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0
<CHANGES>                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                   1,402
<EPS-BASIC>                                   0.06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   0.05