<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE J. CREW
OPERATING CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FROM THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 29, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.


                                    
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           FEB-3-2001
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-29-2000
<CASH>                                          18,370
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    135,455
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               181,006
<PP&E>                                         225,793
<DEPRECIATION>                                (83,837)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 340,184
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          116,809
<BONDS>                                        180,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     (5,685)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   340,184
<SALES>                                        158,032
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               158,809
<CGS>                                           85,479
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  158,476
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,573
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (5,240)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,100
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (3,140)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,140)
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0