<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA EXTRACTED FROM CONSOLIDATED STORES
CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FILED
IN FORM 10-Q AS OF OCTOBER 28, 2000, AND THE THIRTY-NINE WEEK PERIOD THEN ENDED,
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-03-2001
<PERIOD-START> JAN-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> OCT-28-2000
<CASH> 47,502
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 970,235
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,388,928
<PP&E> 913,027
<DEPRECIATION> 438,870
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,115,881
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 587,427
<BONDS> 592,302
0
0
<COMMON> 1,115
<OTHER-SE> 828,444
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,115,881
<SALES> 2,165,152
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,165,152
<CGS> 1,250,375
<TOTAL-COSTS> 1,250,375
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 16,254
<INCOME-PRETAX> 49,869
<INCOME-TAX> 19,698
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 30,171
<DISCONTINUED> (506,045)
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (475,874)
<EPS-BASIC> (4.28)
<EPS-DILUTED> (4.23)
</TABLE>