<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