<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE WET
SEAL, INC. BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1998
<CASH>                                      76,056,000
<SECURITIES>                                20,316,000
<RECEIVABLES>                                3,209,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 26,884,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           127,433,000
<PP&E>                                      94,124,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              49,171,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             184,223,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       60,981,000
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,357,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 111,637,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               184,223,000
<SALES>                                    412,463,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           412,463,000
<CGS>                                      292,644,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               86,999,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                         (3,505,000)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             36,325,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                15,075,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         21,250,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                21,250,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.53