<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