
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CHILDTIME
LEARNING CENTERS, INC FORM 10-Q FOR QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JANUARY 2, 1998 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-03-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-02-1998
<CASH>                                           1,977
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    3,720
<ALLOWANCES>                                       215
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 7,952
<PP&E>                                          43,877
<DEPRECIATION>                                   9,069
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  54,081
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            7,212
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        29,364
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    54,081
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                71,612
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   66,730
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (188)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 207
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,863
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,878
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,985
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,985
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.55
        

</TABLE>
