<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE WET
SEAL, INC. BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-29-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-01-1999
<CASH>                                      20,744,000
<SECURITIES>                                40,077,000
<RECEIVABLES>                                4,591,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                 37,832,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            91,159,000
<PP&E>                                     143,992,000
<DEPRECIATION>                              60,977,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             214,854,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       75,834,000
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,413,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 124,966,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               214,854,000
<SALES>                                    122,835,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           122,835,000
<CGS>                                       86,992,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               29,365,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           (854,000)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              7,332,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,933,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          4,399,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 4,399,000
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.34