<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE J. CREW
OPERATING CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE MONTHS AND THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 28,
2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-03-2001 FEB-03-2001
<PERIOD-END> OCT-28-2000 OCT-28-2000
<CASH> 21,737 0
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 0 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0
<INVENTORY> 164,623 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 217,560 0
<PP&E> 252,295 0
<DEPRECIATION> (94,468) 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 391,779 0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 156,727 0
<BONDS> 180,000 0
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 0 0
<OTHER-SE> (1,923) 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 391,779 0
<SALES> 514,231 193,971
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 516,400 194,767
<CGS> 280,800 104,000
<TOTAL-COSTS> 498,304 177,851
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 17,054 5,740
<INCOME-PRETAX> 1,042 11,176
<INCOME-TAX> (420) (4,520)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 622 6,656
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 622 6,656
<EPS-BASIC> 0 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0 0
</TABLE>