<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAIN SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM COUNTY SEAT
STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD AND
NINE MONTHS ENDED 10/31/98 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                           5,057
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,377
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     83,906
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                          40,515
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (6,647)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 209,526
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           86,900
<BONDS>                                         79,190
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           200
<OTHER-SE>                                      41,927
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   209,526
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               219,349
<CGS>                                          161,766
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   86,223
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,852
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      0
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (40,492)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (2.02)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (2.02)