<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

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

<S>                                        <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              6-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-03-2001             FEB-03-2001
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-29-2000             JUL-29-2000
<CASH>                                          12,930                       0
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                    145,117                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               187,892                       0
<PP&E>                                         240,505                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                                (90,832)                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 354,437                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          133,665                       0
<BONDS>                                        180,000                       0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     (8,579)                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   354,437                       0
<SALES>                                        320,260                 162,228
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               321,633                 162,824
<CGS>                                          176,800                  91,321
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  320,453                 161,977
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,314                   5,741
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (10,134)                 (4,894)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,100                    2000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (6,034)                 (2,894)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (6,034)                 (2,894)
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0



</TABLE>