<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM COUNTY SEAT
STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR PERIOD AND
THREE MONTHS ENDED 5/2/98
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-02-1998
<CASH>                                           4,078
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,695
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     62,041
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          37,054
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (3,414)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 195,934
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           42,662
<BONDS>                                         79,053
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           200
<OTHER-SE>                                      73,304
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                         0
<SALES>                                         63,232
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                63,232
<CGS>                                           32,528
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   40,190
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,279
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      0
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (3,650)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (9,115)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (9,115)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.46)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.40)