
<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION FROM THE COMPANY'S FORM
10-Q FOR THE PERIOD  ENDED JUNE 30,  1999 AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. THE FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE FOR JUNE 30,
1998 IS RESTATED TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE  POOLING-OF-INTERESTS  MERGERS  WITH STEP
AHEAD INVESTMENTS, INC. AND TEHAN'S MERCHANDISING, INC.
</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER>                                  1,000


<S>                             <C>                    <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                  6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               DEC-31-1999            DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                    JUN-30-1999            JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                  36,502                 8,932
<SECURITIES>                                 0                     0
<RECEIVABLES>                                0                     0
<ALLOWANCES>                                 0                     0
<INVENTORY>                            187,247               179,237
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                       239,020               200,486
<PP&E>                                 200,626               144,485
<DEPRECIATION>                          66,431                46,026
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                         423,071               347,271
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                  108,382                97,190
<BONDS>                                      0                     0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                        0                     0
<PREFERRED>                                  0                     0
<COMMON>                                   619                   613
<OTHER-SE>                             281,665               189,823
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>           423,071               347,271
<SALES>                                480,259               385,808
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                       480,259               385,808
<CGS>                                  306,146               247,740
<TOTAL-COSTS>                          306,146               247,740
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                       131,543               104,763
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             0                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                       1,152                 1,759
<INCOME-PRETAX>                         41,418                31,546
<INCOME-TAX>                            15,587                11,760
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                     25,831                19,786
<DISCONTINUED>                               0                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                              0                     0
<CHANGES>                                    0                     0
<NET-INCOME>                            25,831                19,786
<EPS-BASIC>                             0.42                  0.32
<EPS-DILUTED>                             0.38                  0.29



</TABLE>
