<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF HANCOCK FABRICS, INC. FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER
29, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-28-2001
<PERIOD-START> JAN-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> OCT-29-2000
<CASH> 5,035
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 614
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 138,961
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 146,664
<PP&E> 26,232
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 192,323
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 66,228
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 292
<OTHER-SE> 76,850
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 192,323
<SALES> 284,033
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 284,033
<CGS> 142,055
<TOTAL-COSTS> 142,055
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 130,916
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,994
<INCOME-PRETAX> 9,145
<INCOME-TAX> 3,314
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 5,831
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 5,831
<EPS-BASIC> .34
<EPS-DILUTED> .34
</TABLE>