<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 26, 1997 AND IS 
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                          0000820756
<NAME>                                         DUTY FREE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              JAN-26-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   JAN-26-1997
<CASH>                                          36,483
<SECURITIES>                                    12,331
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,508
<ALLOWANCES>                                       636
<INVENTORY>                                    108,724
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               206,146
<PP&E>                                         145,078
<DEPRECIATION>                                  48,360
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 415,348
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           64,029
<BONDS>                                        117,742
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           273
<OTHER-SE>                                     227,442
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   415,348
<SALES>                                        570,895
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               575,418
<CGS>                                          321,733
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  321,733
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,228
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,444
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 34,080
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,610
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             21,470
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,470
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.79
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.79