<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> AUG-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> OCT-30-1999 <CASH> 1,836 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 6,938 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 57,666 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 77,860 <PP&E> 111,871 <DEPRECIATION> 28,169 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 170,367 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 61,145 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 2,558 <OTHER-SE> 102,746 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 170,367 <SALES> 119,442 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 119,442 <CGS> 64,935 <TOTAL-COSTS> 29,484 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 4 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 324 <INCOME-PRETAX> 21,385 <INCOME-TAX> 8,651 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 12,734 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 12,734 <EPS-BASIC> 0.50 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.48