<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF HANCOCK FABRICS INC. FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JULY 30, 2000
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-28-2001
<PERIOD-START> JAN-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUL-30-2000
<CASH> 4,192
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 875
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 131,262
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 138,308
<PP&E> 26,740
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 183,253
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 53,504
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 291
<OTHER-SE> 74,139
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 74,430
<SALES> 184,169
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 184,169
<CGS> 92,718
<TOTAL-COSTS> 92,718
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 85,739
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,380
<INCOME-PRETAX> 4,332
<INCOME-TAX> 1,567
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,765
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 2,765
<EPS-BASIC> .16
<EPS-DILUTED> .16
</TABLE>