<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE CHILDREN'S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC. AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-03-2001
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-29-2000
<CASH>                                           6,560
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,217
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     47,715
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                77,356
<PP&E>                                         131,799
<DEPRECIATION>                                  30,348
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 188,671
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           53,423
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,576
<OTHER-SE>                                     127,458
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   188,671
<SALES>                                        130,082
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               130,082
<CGS>                                           72,224
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   36,859
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     3
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 181
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,344
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,970
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              9,374
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,734
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.36