<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARTY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM COUNTY SEAT
STORES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR PERIOD AND SIX
MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 1, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO 
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-01-1998
<CASH>                                           5,395
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,372
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     76,986
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          41,541
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (5,226)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 207,190
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           71,728
<BONDS>                                         79,390
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           200
<OTHER-SE>                                      54,821
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   207,190
<SALES>                                        133,427
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               133,427
<CGS>                                          100,080
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  153,837
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,387
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      0
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (27,797)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.39)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.39)