<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<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.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-03-2001
<PERIOD-START> APR-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUL-29-2000
<CASH> 4,769
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 14,368
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 62,914
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 98,544
<PP&E> 144,028
<DEPRECIATION> 33,764
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 218,781
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 81,272
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 2,582
<OTHER-SE> 129,421
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 218,781
<SALES> 107,690
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 107,690
<CGS> 67,160
<TOTAL-COSTS> 32,538
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 124
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 277
<INCOME-PRETAX> 2,537
<INCOME-TAX> 1,021
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 1,516
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 1,516
<EPS-BASIC> 0.06
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.06
</TABLE>