<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10K FOR
PERIOD ENDED JANUARY 28, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>                                <C> 
<MULTIPLIER>                    1,000 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                             12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-28-1998             JAN-29-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-30-1997             FEB-01-1996  
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-28-1996             JAN-29-1997
<CASH>                                           1,479                   1,325
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      169                     279
<ALLOWANCES>                                        60                      25
<INVENTORY>                                      8,568                   9,110
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                11,497                  11,531  
<PP&E>                                          61,486                  66,382 
<DEPRECIATION>                                  23,440                  20,565  
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  57,247                  60,428
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            8,394                   7,521
<BONDS>                                         13,350 <F1>             26,225
<COMMON>                                        38,610                  38,559
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           10,434 <F2>             10,352
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0 
<OTHER-SE>                                     (27,082)                (22,229)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    57,247                  60,428 
<SALES>                                        136,999                 140,162  
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               136,999                 140,162
<CGS>                                          102,320                 104,363 
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   42,318 <F3>             36,003
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                (2,687)                 (1,279)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   914                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,254 <F4>              2,600  
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (6,014)<F5>             (1,711)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0 
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0                       0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (6,014)<F6>             (1,711) 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (0.97)                  (0.28)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.97)                  (0.28) 
<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
<F5> INCLUDES IMPAIRMENT LOSS OF APPROXIMATELY $2.9 MILLION
<F6> LOSS RELATED TO WRITEDOWN OF NOTES RECEIVABLE
</FN>
        

</TABLE>