<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE J. CREW
OPERATING CORP. 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> 354,437 0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 133,665 0
<BONDS> 180,000 0
0 0
0 0
<COMMON> 0 0
<OTHER-SE> (8,579) 0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 354,437 0
<SALES> 320,260 162,228
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 321,633 162,824
<CGS> 176,800 91,321
<TOTAL-COSTS> 320,453 161,977
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 11,314 5,741
<INCOME-PRETAX> (10,134) (4,894)
<INCOME-TAX> 4,100 2000
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (6,034) (2,894)
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (6,034) (2,894)
<EPS-BASIC> 0 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0 0
</TABLE>