<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