<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     THIS SUMMARY CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
     BALANCE SHEETS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<CIK>                         0000874214
<NAME>                        ANNTAYLOR STORES CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              FEB-03-2001
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUL-29-2000
<CASH>                                           34,602
<SECURITIES>                                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    67,717
<ALLOWANCES>                                        625
<INVENTORY>                                     154,691
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                290,595
<PP&E>                                          347,752
<DEPRECIATION>                                  152,168
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  801,435
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           127,830
<BONDS>                                         113,383
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                 0
<PREFERRED>                                           0
<COMMON>                                            216
<OTHER-SE>                                      542,616
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    801,435
<SALES>                                         583,320
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                583,320
<CGS>                                           290,916
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   290,916
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                245,685
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                2,356
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  44,363
<INCOME-TAX>                                     19,655
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              24,708
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0
<CHANGES>                                             0
<NET-INCOME>                                     24,708
<EPS-BASIC>                                      0.86
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      0.83