<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>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                           1,209
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,203
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     40,884
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                61,397
<PP&E>                                          59,561
<DEPRECIATION>                                  17,676
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 106,012
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           33,169
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,484
<OTHER-SE>                                      67,332
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   106,012
<SALES>                                         82,496
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                82,496
<CGS>                                           46,370
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   19,501
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    15
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 222
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 14,382
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,897
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,485
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,485
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.33