<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> 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
0
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
</TABLE>