<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE WET
SEAL, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-03-2001
<PERIOD-START> JAN-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> APR-29-2000
<CASH> 36,730,000
<SECURITIES> 45,716,000
<RECEIVABLES> 4,095,000
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 39,769,0000
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 104,395,000
<PP&E> 154,111,000
<DEPRECIATION> 75,840,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 224,733,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 71,463,000
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 1,381,000
<OTHER-SE> 139,121,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 224,733,000
<SALES> 130,600,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 130,600,000
<CGS> 96,883,000
<TOTAL-COSTS> 30,956,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> (874,000)
<INCOME-PRETAX> 3,635,000
<INCOME-TAX> 1,418,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,217,000
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 2,217,000
<EPS-BASIC> 0.18
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.18
</TABLE>