<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE CHILDREN'S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC. AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          16,370
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,742
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     35,339
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                62,520
<PP&E>                                          61,603
<DEPRECIATION>                                  19,299
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 110,761
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           26,989
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,497
<OTHER-SE>                                      78,110
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   110,761
<SALES>                                        283,853
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               283,853
<CGS>                                          166,449
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   73,343
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   110
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 324
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 35,020
<INCOME-TAX>                                    14,358
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             20,662
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    20,662
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.83
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.80