<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>                             JUL-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-28-2000
<CASH>                                           7,509
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,647
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     77,784
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               112,200
<PP&E>                                         152,390
<DEPRECIATION>                                  38,742
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 236,495
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           80,899
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,589
<OTHER-SE>                                     146,991
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   236,495
<SALES>                                        165,774
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               165,774
<CGS>                                           93,173
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   39,022
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     8
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 483
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 27,563
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,718
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,845
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,845
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.63