<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> 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
0
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
</TABLE>