<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE J. CREW
GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS AND THREE MONTHS ENDED JULY 29,
2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-03-2001 FEB-03-2001
<PERIOD-END> JUL-29-2000 JUL-29-2000
<CASH> 12,930 0
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 0 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0
<INVENTORY> 145,117 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 187,892 0
<PP&E> 240,505 0
<DEPRECIATION> (90,832) 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 364,317 0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 129,596 0
<BONDS> 287,272 0
186,309 0
0 0
<COMMON> 0 0
<OTHER-SE> (287,308) 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 364,317 0
<SALES> 320,260 162,228
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 321,633 162,824
<CGS> 176,800 91,321
<TOTAL-COSTS> 320,783 162,142
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 18,020 9,182
<INCOME-PRETAX> (17,170) (8,500)
<INCOME-TAX> 6,900 3,430
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (10,270) (5,070)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (10,270) (5,070)
<EPS-BASIC> 0 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0 0
</TABLE>