<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10K FOR
PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY 3, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-03-1999             JAN-28-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-29-1998             JAN-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-03-1999             JAN-28-1998
<CASH>                                           1,697                   1,479
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      534                     169
<ALLOWANCES>                                         8                      60
<INVENTORY>                                      7,138                   8,568
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                10,149                  11,497
<PP&E>                                          69,180                  61,486
<DEPRECIATION>                                  27,860                  23,440
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  56,987                  57,247
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           11,595                   8,394
<BONDS>                                         14,202<F1>              13,359<F1>
<COMMON>                                        38,617                  38,610
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           10,582<F4>              10,434<F4>
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                    (33,648)                (27,082)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    56,987                  57,247
<SALES>                                        136,146                 136,999
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               136,146                 136,999
<CGS>                                           99,974                 102,320
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   41,416                  42,318
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,174                 (1,772)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                     914
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,407<F2>               2,254<F2>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (6,567)<F3>             (6,014)<F3>
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0                       0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (6,567)<F3>             (6,014)<F3>
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.06)                  (0.97)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.06)                  (0.97)
<FN>
<F1> SHORT TERM PORTION INCLUDED IN CURRENT LIABILITIES.
<F2> INCLUDED IN OTHER EXPENSES
<F3> LOSS NET OF ACCRETION OF WARRANTS
<F4> MANDATORY REDEEMABLE FOR $11 MILLION
</FN>
        


</TABLE>