<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS DATA EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEETS, AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000795212
<NAME> TRANS WORLD ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                          33,164
<SECURITIES>                                         0
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<DEPRECIATION>                                 105,619
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<BONDS>                                              0
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<SALES>                                        430,658
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               430,658
<CGS>                                          269,532
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  269,532
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               143,694
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,264
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,709
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,126
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .29