PAYLESS SHOESOURCE INC
10-Q, 1997-12-08
SHOE STORES
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<PAGE>






                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                     Washington, D.C.  20549

                            FORM 10-Q



        QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15 (d)
              OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

         For The Quarterly Period Ended November 1, 1997


                  Commission File Number 1-11633


                     PAYLESS SHOESOURCE, INC.
      (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



           Missouri                          48-0674097
(State or other jurisdiction of            (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)          Identification Number)



3231 Southeast Sixth Street, Topeka, Kansas     66607-2207
(Address of principal executive offices)            (Zip Code)


                          (913) 233-5171
                 (Registrant's telephone number,
                       including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months and
(2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90
days.                                   YES   X    NO        
                                           --------  --------

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's
classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. 

                   Common Stock, $.01 par value
            37,326,808 shares as of November 29, 1997





<PAGE>

                        PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 - Financial Statements

            PAYLESS SHOESOURCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                           (Unaudited)

(Millions)
                                   Nov. 1,     Nov. 2,     Feb. 1,
ASSETS                              1997        1996        1997  
- ------                            --------    --------    --------
Current Assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents        $  217.3    $  228.5    $  193.6
 Accounts receivable, net              4.7         4.1         4.3
 Merchandise inventories             331.7       330.9       354.9
 Other current assets                 38.7        35.5        39.4
                                  --------    --------    --------
   Total Current Assets              592.4       599.0       592.2

Property and Equipment, at cost      880.6       864.0       834.1
Accumulated Depreciation            (393.3)     (354.7)     (331.6)
                                  --------    --------    --------
 Net Property and Equipment          487.3       509.3       502.5

Other Assets                           3.5         3.2         3.2
                                  --------    --------    --------

   Total Assets                   $1,083.2    $1,111.5    $1,097.9
                                  ========    ========    ========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY
- -----------------------------------
Current Liabilities:
 Current maturities of
   capital lease obligations      $    1.3    $    1.3    $    1.3
 Accounts payable                     88.6        84.1        82.9
 Accrued expenses                    138.1       144.3       119.1
                                  --------    --------    --------
   Total Current Liabilities         228.0       229.7       203.3

Capital Lease Obligations              6.7         9.1         8.2

Deferred Income Taxes                  3.0         9.4         6.1

Other Liabilities                     27.8        26.6        27.3

Shareowners' Equity                  817.7       836.7       853.0
                                  --------    --------    --------
   Total Liabilities and
     Shareowners' Equity          $1,083.2    $1,111.5    $1,097.9
                                  ========    ========    ========

    The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial
      statements are an integral part of this balance sheet.


                             2
<PAGE>
     
               PAYLESS SHOESOURCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
                              (Unaudited)

(Millions, except per share)
                           13 Weeks Ended          39 Weeks Ended
                        ---------------------   ---------------------
                         Nov. 1,     Nov. 2,     Nov. 1,     Nov. 2,
                           1997       1996        1997        1996  
                        ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------

Net Retail Sales:       $   635.7   $   576.8   $ 1,997.4   $ 1,810.8

Cost of sales           $   443.4   $   408.0   $ 1,388.6   $ 1,278.3

Selling, general and
  administrative
  expenses                  138.5       122.1       429.4       382.1

Interest (income)/
  expense, net               (1.9)       (2.2)       (6.1)       (3.6)
                        ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------
Earnings before income
  taxes                      55.7        48.9       185.5       154.0

Provision for income
  taxes                      22.2        19.5        74.0        61.4
                        ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------

Net Earnings            $    33.5   $    29.4   $   111.5   $    92.6
                        =========   =========   =========   =========

Earnings per Share      $     .89   $     .74   $    2.87   $    2.30
                        =========   =========   =========   =========
Average Shares
  Outstanding                37.5        40.0        38.8        40.3     
                        =========   =========   =========   =========




      The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial
          statements are an integral part of this statement.





                                                 






                             3

                          
<PAGE>
            PAYLESS SHOESOURCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
          CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                           (Unaudited)

(Millions)                                   39 Weeks Ended
                                         ---------------------- 
                                           Nov. 1,     Nov. 2,
                                            1997        1996  
Operating Activities:                    ---------    ---------
 Net earnings                            $   111.5    $    92.6
 Depreciation and amortization                67.6         68.0
 Change in working capital (excluding
   cash and cash equivalents)                 45.2         94.2
                                         ---------    ---------

Total Operating Activities                   224.3        254.8
                                         ---------    ---------



Investing Activities:
 Capital expenditures                        (59.3)       (48.8)
 Disposition of property and equipment         6.9         31.4
                                         ---------    ---------

Total Investing Activities                   (52.4)       (17.4)
                                         ---------    ---------

                                             
Financing Activities:
 Net repayments of capital lease    
   obligations                                (1.4)        (1.2)    
 Amortization (Issuance) of
   stock compensation                          4.0          4.2
 Issuance (Purchase)
   of common stock, net                     (150.8)       (16.5)
                                         ---------    ---------

Total Financing Activities                  (148.2)       (13.5)
                                         ---------    ---------


(Decrease) Increase in Cash
  and Cash Equivalents                   $    23.7    $   223.9
Cash and Cash Equivalents,
  Beginning of Year                          193.6          4.6
                                         ---------    ---------
Cash and Cash Equivalents,
  End of Period                              217.3        228.5
                                         =========    =========



    The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial
        statements are an integral part of this statement.



                             4
<PAGE>
            PAYLESS SHOESOURCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

       NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Interim Results.  These unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements of Payless ShoeSource, Inc. (the "Company")
have been prepared in the ordinary course of business for the
purpose of presenting information with respect to the Company's 13
and 39 week periods ended November 1, 1997.  The Company believes
that all adjustments (none of which were other than normal
recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the
Company's financial position and operating results have been made. 
However, certain items are included in these statements based on
estimates for the entire year.  The condensed consolidated
financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
financial statements of the Company included in its 1996 Annual
Report to Shareowners (the "Annual Report"), including the
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (pages 12-15) and NOTES TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (pages 19-23) in the Annual
Report.  The results of operations for the 13 and 39 week periods
ended November 1, 1997, are not necessarily indicative of results
for the entire fiscal year ended January 31, 1998.

Note 2. Inventories.  Merchandise inventories are stated on the
FIFO (First-In-First-Out) cost basis.  

Note 3. Spin-Off.  In January 1996, The May Department Stores
Company announced its intention to spin-off the Company.  The spin-
off was completed effective May 4, 1996, as a tax-free distribution
to The May Department Stores Company shareowners.  The Company's
financial statements presented herein reflect operations on a
stand-alone basis independent of The May Department Stores Company.

As discussed in the Annual Report, the Company is incurring special
retention costs associated with the spin-off which established
Payless as an independent company.  Those costs totaled $0.8
million pre-tax for the third quarter 1997, with an additional $0.8
million pre-tax estimated to be incurred in the remainder of the
current fiscal year.

Note 4. Parade of Shoes.  On March 10, 1997, the Company acquired
inventory and trademarks, and assumed leases on 186 stores of the
Parade of Shoes division ("Parade") from J. Baker, Inc.  The
purchase price was approximately $28 million in cash.  Parade sells
women's footwear and accessories in 14 states.  Parade had sales of
$123 million in 1996.  The Company is operating Parade as a
separate division supported by existing Payless sourcing,
distribution, information systems, real estate and financial
organizations.

The Parade acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase, and
accordingly, the operating results of the acquired stores have been 
included in the Company's consolidated results since March 10,
1997.

  


                             5
<PAGE>

Note 5. Store Openings/Closings.  During the third quarter, the
Company opened 53 Payless stores, including 5 in Canada, and 2
Parade stores.  The Company closed 33 Payless and 2 Parade stores. 

Note 6.  Earnings Per Share.  Earnings per share for 1997 and 1996
are computed by dividing net earnings by the average common shares
outstanding during the period.  

The Company's first quarter 1996 outstanding shares were calculated
based on the number of Company shares issued and outstanding as of
May 4, 1996, the date of the spin-off from The May Department
Stores Company.

Note 7.  Reclassifications.  Certain prior period amounts have been
reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Note 8.  Foreign Currency Translation.  Local currencies are the
functional currencies for all subsidiaries.  Accordingly, assets
and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated at the rates
of exchange at the balance sheet date.  Income and expense items of
these subsidiaries are translated at year-to-date average rates of
exchange.  The resultant translation gains or losses are included
in stockholders' equity.

Note 9.  Year 2000.  In 1996 the Company began modifying its
computer systems to enable continued processing of transactions in
the year 2000 and beyond.  Spending for modifications will be
expensed as incurred and is not expected to have a significant
impact on the Company's ongoing results of operations.

Note 10.  New Accounting Standard.  In February 1997, the Financial 
Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 128, "Earnings per Share" ("SFAS 128") effective
December 15, 1997.  SFAS 128 will simplify the calculation of
earnings per share (EPS) and require the reporting of "basic" and
"diluted" EPS.  The Company will adopt SFAS 128 when it reports
1997 annual results.  Under the new accounting standard, EPS for
the periods ended November 1, 1997 and November 2, 1996 are stated
below:                                    
                          13 Weeks Ended        39 Weeks Ended
                        ------------------    ------------------
                        Nov. 1,    Nov. 2,    Nov. 1,    Nov. 2,
                          1997       1996       1997       1996  
                        -------    -------    -------    -------
Basic Earnings
 Per Share              $  0.89    $  0.74    $  2.87    $  2.30

Diluted Earnings
 Per Share              $  0.88    $  0.73    $  2.84    $  2.29


Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the
weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding
during the period.  Diluted earnings per share includes the effect
of conversions of options. 


                             6
<PAGE>
Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial        
         Condition and Results of Operations

Liquidity and Capital Resources

A summary of key financial information for the periods indicated is
as follows:
                                 Nov. 1,    Nov. 2,    Feb. 1,
                                  1997       1996       1997
                                 -------    -------    -------
Current Ratio                      2.6        2.5        2.9
Debt-Capitalization Ratio*         1.0%       1.2%       1.1%
Fixed Charge Coverage**            3.7x       2.2x       3.2x

 *   Debt-to-capitalization has been computed by dividing total
     debt, which includes current and long-term capital lease
     obligations, by capitalization, which includes current and
     long-term capital lease obligations, non-current deferred
     income taxes and equity.  The debt-to-capitalization ratio,
     including the present value of future minimum rental payments
     under operating leases as debt and capitalization, would be
     50.9%, 49.9% and 49.1% for the periods referred to above.

 **  Fixed charge coverage, which is presented for the trailing 52
     weeks in each period ended above, is defined as earnings
     before income taxes, gross interest expense, and the interest
     component of rent expense, divided by gross interest expense
     and the interest component of rent expense.  All costs and
     expenses of the Company relating to special retention costs
     and the special non-recurring charge associated with the
     spin-off are included in the above calculation.  Excluding
     these costs, the fixed charge coverage would be 3.8x, 3.1x
     and 3.4x for the periods referred to above.   

The Company's fixed charge coverage ratio for the 52 weeks ended
November 1, 1997 increased as compared with the 52 week period
ended November 2, 1996, due primarily to increased earnings.

The Company has in place a $200 million revolving credit facility
with a bank syndication group on which no borrowings were
outstanding at the end of the quarter.

Capital expenditures during the first nine months in 1997 totaled
$59.3 million with an additional $41.7 million estimated to be
expended in the remainder of fiscal year 1997.  The Company
anticipates that cash flow from operations and the credit facility
will be sufficient to finance projected capital expenditures (See
cautionary statement on  next page as to this and other forward-
looking statements).

The year-to-date increase in cash of $23.7 million resulted from
earnings before depreciation and amortization of $179.1 million
offset by higher capital expenditures, primarily from the
acquisition of Parade, and the repurchase of the Company's common
stock.



                             7
<PAGE>
In the third quarter, the Company completed its previously
announced $150 million stock repurchase program.  During the third
quarter, the Company acquired 0.6 million shares of its common
stock in open market transactions pursuant to Rule 10b-18 for an
aggregate price of $36.9 million.

The Company also announced that its board of directors authorized
the repurchase of an additional $150 million dollars worth of the
Company's common stock in open market transactions, subject to
receipt of a favorable ruling from the Internal Revenue Service and
market conditions.
                         
Results of Operations

Net retail sales represent the sales of stores operating during the
period.  Sales percent increases are as follows:

                         Third Quarter       First Nine Months
                        ----------------    -------------------
                         1997      1996       1997      1996  
                        ------    ------     ------    ------

   Total                 10.2%     (1.6%)     10.3%      1.8%

   Store-for-Store        5.2%      1.5%       6.3%      3.9%
   
Store-for-store sales represent sales of those stores open during
comparable periods.

The following table presents the components of costs and expenses,
as a percent of revenues, for the third quarter and first nine
months of 1997 and 1996.
                                                     First
                                  Third Quarter    Nine Months 
                                  -------------   -------------
                                   1997   1996     1997   1996
                                  ------ ------   ------ ------

  Cost of sales                    69.8%  70.7%    69.5%  70.6%

  Selling, general and
    administrative expenses        21.8   21.2     21.5   21.1
  Interest income/(expense), net     .3     .4       .3     .2
                                  ------ ------   ------ ------

  Earnings before income taxes      8.7%   8.5%     9.3%   8.5%
                                  ====== ======   ====== ======

  Effective income tax rate        39.9%  39.9%    39.9%  39.9%
                                  ====== ======   ====== ======

  Net Earnings                      5.3%   5.1%     5.6%   5.1%
                                  ====== ======   ====== ======

Cost of sales was $443.4 million in the 1997 third quarter, up 8.7%
from $408.0 million in the 1996 third quarter.  For the first nine
months of 1997, cost of sales was $1,389 million, a 8.6% increase
from $1,278 million in the 1996 period.  For the third quarter and
                             8
<PAGE>
first nine months, cost of sales, as a percent of revenues,
decreased 0.9% and 1.1%, respectively.  Gross margin improvement in
the third quarter was primarily due to the leverage of occupancy
costs gained through positive same store sales and improved
merchandise margins.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $138.5 million in
the 1997 third quarter, up 13.4% from $122.1 million in the 1996
third quarter.  For the first nine months of 1997, selling, general
and administrative expenses were $429.4 million compared with
$382.1 million in the 1996 period, a 12.4% increase.  The increase
during the third quarter and the first nine months of 1997 was
attributed to a modest increase in advertising, the operation of
the Parade of Shoes division, and investments in infrastructure and
systems to support future growth.

At the end of the third quarter, the Company operated 4,243 Payless
ShoeSource stores in 50 states, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico and the
U.S. Virgin Islands and 183 Parade of Shoes stores.  The following
table presents the change in store count for the third quarter and
first nine months of 1997 and 1996.

  Payless ShoeSource                                  First
                                  Third Quarter    Nine Months 
                                  -------------- --------------
                                    1997   1996    1997   1996
                                   -----  -----   -----  -----

  Beginning of quarter/year        4,223  4,280   4,236  4,549
  Stores opened                       53     35     116    128
  Stores closed                      (33)   (51)   (109)  (413)
                                   -----  -----   -----  -----

  Ending store count               4,243  4,264   4,243  4,264
                                   =====  =====   =====  =====

  Parade of Shoes                                    First
                                  Third Quarter    Nine Months
                                    1997   1996    1997   1996
                                   -----  -----   -----  -----
  Beginning of quarter/year          183              0
  Stores acquired                      0            186
  Stores opened                        2    N/A       4    N/A   
  Stores closed                       (2)            (7) 
                                   -----          -----

  Ending store count                 183            183  
                                   =====          =====

From time to time, the Company may publish forward-looking
statements relating to such matters as anticipated financial
performance, business prospects, technological developments, new
products, future store openings, capital expenditures, possible
strategic alternatives and similar matters.  The Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-
looking statements.  In order to comply with the terms of the safe

                             9
<PAGE>
harbor, the Company notes that a variety of factors could cause the
Company's actual results and experience to differ materially from
the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the
Company's forward-looking statements.  The risks and uncertainties
that may affect the operations, performance, development and
results of the Company's business include, but are not limited to
the following:  Changes in consumer spending patterns, consumer
preferences and overall economic conditions, the impact of
competition and pricing, changes in weather patterns, the financial
condition of the suppliers and manufacturers from whom the Company
sources its merchandise, changes in existing or potential duties,
tariffs or quotas, availability of suitable store locations and
appropriate terms, and ability to hire and train associates. 


                   PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1 - Legal Proceedings

 There are no material pending legal proceedings, other than
 ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, to which
 registrant or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any
 of their property is the subject.

Item 2 - Changes in Securities   None.

Item 3 - Defaults Upon Senior Securities   None.

Item 4 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 
 None.

Item 5 - Other Information   None.

Item 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 (a)  Exhibits:             
   
   Number     Description    
   ------     -----------

   3.1      Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of    
            the Registrant.1

   3.2      Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant.2

   10.5     Payless ShoeSource, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan, as
            amended.*

   10.8     Payless ShoeSource, Inc. Restricted Stock Plan for
            Non-Management Directors, as amended.*

   10.16    Payless ShoeSource, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan
            for Non-Management Directors.*

   10.17    Payless ShoeSource, Inc. Executive Incentive
            Compensation Plan for Business Unit Management.*



                             10
<PAGE>
   10.18    The Stock Appreciation and Phantom Stock Unit Plan of 
            Payless ShoeSource, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries for
            Payless ShoeSource International Employees.*

   11.1     Computation of Net Earnings Per Share.*       
 
   27.1     Financial Data Schedule*
                                                    

* Filed herewith
 
  1)  Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's
      Form 10-Q (file Number 1-11633) for the quarter ended May 4,
      1996.
  2)  Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 of the Registrant's
      Form 10-K (file Number 1-11633) for the year ended February 1,
      1997.
 
 (b)  Reports on Form 8-K

      No reports have been filed on Form 8-K during the quarter
      ended November 1, 1997.
                                



































                             11
<PAGE>

                            SIGNATURES

 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                              PAYLESS SHOESOURCE, INC.    

Date: 12/8/97                  /s/ Steven J. Douglass         
     ---------------          ------------------------------
                                    Steven J. Douglass
                                       Chairman and
                                  Chief Executive Officer



Date: 12/8/97                  /s/ Ullrich E. Porzig           
     ---------------          ------------------------------
                                    Ullrich E. Porzig
                                Senior Vice President and
                                 Chief Financial Officer




































                            12
<PAGE>


<PAGE>
                                                                  Exhibit 11
                           PAYLESS SHOESOURCE, INC.
                     COMPUTATION OF NET EARNINGS PER SHARE



                                    13 Weeks Ended         39 Weeks Ended    
                                   ------------------     ------------------
(Thousands, except per share)      Nov. 1,    Nov. 2,     Nov. 1,    Nov. 2,
                                    1997       1996        1997       1996   
                                  --------   --------    --------   --------

Net earnings                      $ 33,493   $ 29,405    $111,508   $ 92,573

Common shares outstanding           37,473     40,006      38,816     40,311
                                  --------   --------    --------   --------

Net earnings per share            $    .89   $    .74    $   2.87   $   2.30
                                  ========   ========    ========   ========

Primary Computation:
- --------------------

Net earnings                      $ 33,493   $ 29,405    $111,508   $ 92,573

Common shares outstanding           37,473     40,006      38,816     40,311

Net effect of dilutive stock
   options based on the treasury
  stock method                         661         63         396        101
                                  --------   --------    --------   --------
Outstanding shares for primary
  earnings per share                38,134     40,069      39,212     40,412
                                  ========   ========    ========   ========

Primary earnings per share        $    .88   $    .73    $   2.84   $   2.29
                                  ========   ========    ========   ========

Fully Diluted Computation:
- --------------------------

Net earnings                      $ 33,493   $ 29,405    $111,508   $ 92,573

Common shares outstanding           37,473     40,006      38,816     40,311

Net effect of dilutive stock
   options based on the treasury
  stock method                         661         97         540        101
                                  --------   --------    --------   --------
Outstanding shares for fully
  diluted earnings per share        38,134     40,103      39,356     40,412
                                  ========   ========    ========   ========

Fully Diluted earnings per share  $    .88   $    .73    $   2.83   $   2.29
                                  ========   ========    ========   ========

 
Note:  The Company's 1997 and 1996 outstanding shares was calculated on the
average number of Company shares outstanding during the applicable period.
<PAGE>


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
EXHIBIT 27 --  THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL
INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PAYLESS SHOESOURCE, INC. CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS FOR THE 39 WEEKS ENDED
NOVEMBER 1, 1997, AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF
NOVEMBER 1, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001008802
<NAME> PAYLESS SHOESOURCE,INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-01-1997
<CASH>                                         217,300<F1>
<SECURITIES>                                         0<F2>
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,700<F3>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0<F3>
<INVENTORY>                                    331,700
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               592,400
<PP&E>                                         880,600
<DEPRECIATION>                                 393,300
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,083,200
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          228,000
<BONDS>                                          6,700<F4>
<COMMON>                                           400
                                0
                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     817,300<F5>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,083,200
<SALES>                                      1,997,400<F6>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,997,400
<CGS>                                        1,388,600
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,388,600
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              (6,100)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                185,500
<INCOME-TAX>                                    74,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            111,500
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   111,500
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.84<F7>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.83<F7>
<FN>
<F1>Includes cash equivalent securities.
<F2>Any "securities" are shown under "Cash".
<F3>Receivables are net after deduction of allowances.
<F4>Consists of Capital Lease Obligations.
<F5>Reflects Retained Earnings and Additional Paid In Capital.
<F6>Reflects net sales.
<F7>Expressed in dollars.
</FN>

<PAGE>


</TABLE>

<PAGE>
                                                          Exhibit 10.5
                                                  













                    PAYLESS SHOESOURCE, INC.

                    1996 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

                      Effective May 4, 1996

                    Last Amended July 17, 1997





































<PAGE>
                    1996 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

I. GENERAL

   1. Purpose.  The purpose of the Plan is to aid the Company and
its Subsidiaries in attracting, retaining, and motivating
management employees.

   2. Definitions.  Whenever used herein, the following terms
shall have the meanings set forth below:

      a.  "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

      b.  "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
   amended.

      c.  "Committee" means a committee designated by the Board,
   which shall consist of not less than two members of the Board
   who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the
   Board and who shall be "disinterested" within the meaning of
   Rule 16b-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the
   Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and who shall be
   "outside" directors within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the
   Code.

      d.  "Company" means Payless ShoeSource, Inc.

      e.  "Disability" means a permanent and total disability which
   enables the Participant to be eligible for and receive a
   disability benefit under the Federal Social Security Act.

      f.  "Fair Market Value" means the average of the high and low
   prices of the Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date
   in question, or, if no sale or sales of the Stock occurred on
   such Exchange on that day, the average of the high and low
   prices of the Stock on the last preceding day when the Stock
   was sold on the New York Stock Exchange; with respect to a
   Stock Appreciation Right, the term means the average of the
   high and low prices of the Stock on the New York Stock Exchange
   on such date or dates as may be provided in the Stock
   Appreciation Right Agreement; provided, however, that with
   respect to Options granted as of the effective date of the
   spin-off (the "Effective Date") of the Company by The May
   Department Stores Company ("May") with respect to options
   previously granted by May which were waived by the Participant
   or which were not yet exercisable and therefore lapsed on the
   Effective Date, the "Fair Market Value" means the arithmetic
   average of the high and low trading prices of the Stock on the
   New York Stock Exchange for each of the first 30 trading days
   on which trading in the Stock on that exchange occurs.

      g.  "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option granted under
   the Plan which constitutes and shall be treated as an
   "incentive stock option" as defined in Section 422 of the Code.

      h.  "Non-Qualified Stock Option" means an Option granted
   under the Plan which shall not constitute or be treated as an
   Incentive Stock Option.
                             2
<PAGE>
      i.  "Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right" means a Right
   described in Part III, Section 3.

      j.  "Option" means a right or rights to purchase shares of
   Stock described in Part II.

      k.  "Option Agreement" means the agreement between the
   Company and a Participant evidencing the grant of an Option and
   containing the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the
   Plan, that are applicable to such Option.

      l.  "Participant" means an individual to whom an Option,
   Right or Performance Unit is granted or Restricted Stock Grant
   is made.

      m.  "Performance Restricted Stock" means Restricted Stock
   whose provisions include the restrictions described in Part IV,
   Section 3(b).

      n.  "Performance Unit" means a right, described in Part V, to
   receive up to 100% of the value of shares of Stock.

      o.  "Plan" means the 1996 Stock Incentive Plan of the
   Company, as amended from time to time.

      p.  "Related Option" means the Option in relation to which a
   Tandem Stock Appreciation Right is granted.

      q.  "Restricted Stock Grant" means a grant described in Part
   IV.

      r.  "Retirement" means retirement as that word is defined in
   the Company's Profit Sharing Plan.

      s.  "Stock" means the Common Stock of the Company.

      t.  "Stock Appreciation Right" or "Right" means a right
   described in Part III which provides for the payment of an
   amount in cash or Stock in accordance with such terms and
   conditions as are provided in the Stock Appreciation Right
   Agreement applicable to such Right; provided however, that in
   Part III, Section 2, "Right" shall refer only to a "Tandem
   Stock Appreciation Right" and that in Part III, Section 3,
   "Right" shall refer only to a "Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation
   Right".

      u.  "Stock Appreciation Right Agreement" means the agreement
   between the Company and a Participant evidencing the grant of
   a Stock Appreciation Right and containing the terms and
   conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, that are applicable
   to such Right.

      v.  "Subsidiary" means a subsidiary of the Company or an
   unincorporated organization controlled, directly or indirectly,
   by the Company.



                             3
<PAGE>
      w.  "Tandem Stock Appreciation Right" means a Right described
   in Part III, Section 2.

   3. Administration.  The Plan shall be administered by the
Committee.  Subject to all applicable provisions of the Plan, the
Committee is authorized to approve grants of Options, Rights or
Performance Units or the making of Restricted Stock Grants in
accordance with the Plan, to construe and interpret the Plan, to
prescribe, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to the
Plan and to make all determinations and take all actions necessary
or advisable for the Plan's administration.  The Committee shall
act by vote or written consent of a majority of its members. 
Whenever the Plan authorizes or requires the Committee to take any
action, make any determination or decision or form any opinion,
then any such action, determination, decision or opinion by or of
the Committee shall be in the absolute discretion of the Committee.

   4. Shares Subject to the Plan. 

      (a)  Maximum Number of Shares.  Stock issued under the Plan
   shall be treasury shares subject to the following limitations:

          (i)  Plan Maximum. The maximum number of shares of Stock
          which may be issued under the Plan is 5,200,000, of which
          no more than 400,000 may be issued pursuant to Restricted
          Stock Grants.

          (ii)  Participant Maximum.  The maximum number of Options
          and Stock Appreciation Rights which may be granted to any
          Participant during the term of the Plan is 500,000;
          provided, however, that if a Stock Appreciation Right is
          issued in substitution for an existing stock option or in
          tandem with a stock option, then the grant of such a
          Stock Appreciation Right shall not count against the
          limit.  The maximum number of shares of Stock which may
          be issued to each Participant free from restrictions
          pursuant to a grant of Performance Restricted Stock is
          50,000 per year.  The maximum number of shares of Stock
          which may be granted to each Participant pursuant to
          Performance Units is 50,000 per year.

      (b) Expired Options or Rights.  If an Option or
   Right expires, terminates, ceases to be exercisable or is
   surrendered without having been exercised in full, then the
   shares relating to the Option or Right shall, unless the Plan
   has been terminated, again become available under the Plan.

      (c) Lapse of Restrictions on Restricted Stock. If
   any shares of Stock shall be returned to the Company pursuant
   to the provisions of Sections 2 or 3 of Part IV or in the
   instruments evidencing the making of Restricted Stock Grants,
   then such shares shall, unless the Plan has been terminated,
   again become available under the Plan.





                             4
<PAGE>
      (d) Expired Performance Units.  If a Performance
   Unit expires, terminates, is surrendered or otherwise ceases to
   exist, so that no further shares of Stock may be issued
   pursuant to such Performance Unit, then the shares of Stock
   which could have been issued but were not issued pursuant
   thereto shall, unless the Plan has been terminated, again
   become available under the Plan.

   5. Participants.  Participants in the Plan shall be determined
as follows:

      (a) Eligibility. The individuals who are eligible
   to receive Options, Rights, Performance Units or Restricted
   Stock Grants hereunder shall be limited to management employees
   of the Company and its Subsidiaries (including employees who
   are directors and/or officers).

      (b) Determination.  From time to time the Committee
   shall, in its sole discretion, but subject to all of the
   provisions of the Plan, determine which of those eligible
   employees shall receive Option(s), Stock Appreciation Right(s),
   Performance Unit(s) or Restricted Stock Grant(s) under the Plan
   and the size, terms, conditions and/or restrictions of the
   Option(s), Right(s), Performance Unit(s) or Restricted Stock
   Grant(s).

      (c) Differing Terms; Effect of Grant.  The
   Committee may approve the grant of Option(s) Right(s), or
   Performance Unit(s) or the making of Restricted Stock Grant(s)
   subject to differing terms, conditions and/or restrictions to
   any eligible employee in any year.  The Committee's decision to
   approve the grant of an Option, Right or Performance Unit or
   the making of a Restricted Stock Grant to an eligible employee
   in any year shall not require the Committee to approve the
   grant of an Option, Right or Performance Unit or the making of
   a Restricted Stock Grant to that employee in any other year or
   to any other employee in any year; nor shall the Committee's
   decision with respect to the size, terms, conditions and/or
   restrictions of any Option, Right or Performance Unit to be
   granted to an employee or any Restricted Stock Grant to be made
   to an employee in any year require the Committee to approve the
   grant of an Option, Right or Performance Unit or the making of
   a Restricted Stock Grant of the same size or with the same
   terms, conditions and/or restrictions to that employee in any
   other year or to any other employee in any year.  The Committee
   shall not be precluded from approving the grant of an Option,
   Right or Performance Unit or the making of a Restricted Stock
   Grant to any eligible employee solely because such employee may
   previously have been granted an Option, Right or Performance
   Unit or may previously have received a Restricted Stock Grant.

   6. Rights with Respect to Shares of Stock.  A Participant who
has exercised an Option or Right (payable all or in part in Stock)
or to whom a Restricted Stock Grant has been made or to whom shares
of Stock have been issued pursuant to Performance Units shall have,
after a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of


                             5
<PAGE>
Stock granted have been issued in his name, absolute ownership of
such shares including the right to vote the same and receive
dividends thereon; provided, however that rights with respect to
shares issued in connection with a Restricted Stock Grant shall be
subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions described in the
Plan and in the instrument evidencing the making of the Restricted
Stock Grant to such Participant.

   7. Employment.  In the absence of any specific agreement to the
contrary, no grant of an Option, Right or Performance Unit or
making of a Restricted Stock Grant to a Participant under the Plan
shall affect any right of the Company or its Subsidiaries to
terminate the Participant's employment at any time.


II.   OPTIONS

   1. General.  Each employee chosen to receive an Option(s) may
be granted an Incentive Stock Option, a Non-Qualified Stock Option
or both, subject to the following terms, conditions and
restrictions.  Each Option granted under the Plan shall be
evidenced by an Option Agreement which shall contain such terms and
conditions consistent with the Plan as the Committee shall
determine; provided, however, that each Option shall satisfy the
following requirements and each Incentive Stock Option shall
satisfy the requirement of Part II, Section 2: 

      (a)  Option Price.  The option price for each share
   purchased under any Option shall be specified in the Option
   Agreement and, subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) below
   and Part VII, Section 3, shall not be less than Fair Market
   Value on the date the Option is granted; provided, however,
   that in no event shall the option price per share be less than
   the par value thereof.

      (b)  Option Period.

            (i)  General.  The period in which an Option may be
         exercised shall not exceed ten years from the date the
         Option is granted; provided, however, that the Option may
         be sooner terminated in accordance with the provisions of
         this paragraph (b).  Subject to the foregoing, the
         Committee may provide that any Option may be exercised, in
         whole or in part, at such time or times as the Committee
         may in its discretion determine.  

            (ii)  Termination of Employment.  If the Participant
         ceases to be an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary
         for any reason other than Retirement, Disability, or
         death, all of such Participant's outstanding Options shall
         immediately terminate.

            (iii) Retirement or Disability.  If a Participant's
         employment is terminated by Retirement or Disability, the
         term of any then outstanding Option held by the
         Participant shall extend for a period specified by the
         Committee in the agreement pertaining to such Option, and

                             6
<PAGE>
         the number of shares in respect of which the Option may be
         exercised after the Participant's Retirement or Disability
         shall be determined by the agreement pertaining to such
         Option; provided, however, that such agreement shall
         provide that the Committee may cancel the Participant's
         Option during such period if the Participant's Retirement
         was without the consent of the Company, or if the
         Participant engages during such period of Retirement or
         Disability in employment or activities contrary, in the
         opinion of the Committee, to the best interests of the
         Company.   

     2.  Incentive Stock Options.   Each Option Agreement
evidencing an Incentive Stock Option shall satisfy the requirement
that to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of Stock
with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for
the first time by any Participant during any calendar year (under
the Plan and all stock option plans of the Company and its
Subsidiaries) exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as
Non-Qualified Stock Options.  For purposes of this Section 2,
aggregate Fair Market Value of Stock shall be determined as of the
time the Option with respect to such Stock is granted.

     3.  Death.  If a Participant's employment is terminated by
death at a time when he or she has not fully exercised any then
outstanding Option, or if a Participant dies after Retirement or
Disability without having fully exercised any then outstanding
Option, the beneficiary designated by the Participant (or, in the
absence of such designation, the executors or administrators or
legatees or distributees of the Participant's estate) shall have
the right to exercise such Option in whole or in part during such
period following the Participant's death as is set forth in the
Option Agreement.  The Company shall prescribe the procedures and
requirements for beneficiary designations not inconsistent with
this provision and has the right to review and approve such
designations.

     4.  Nonassignability.  Each Option shall not be transferable
(other than, upon the death of the Participant, by beneficiary
designation, by last will and testament or by the laws of descent
and distribution) and shall be exercisable during the Participant's
lifetime only by the Participant.

     5.  Payment for Stock.  Full payment in cash or, if the
Committee approves, in Stock, for shares purchased shall be made at
the time of exercising the Option in whole or in part.  No
certificates for shares so purchased shall be issued until full
payment therefor has been made, and a Participant shall have none
of the rights of a shareowner until such certificates are issued to
him or her.  If the Committee approves, a Participant may elect to
pay all or part of the purchase price for shares pursuant to an
exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option by requesting the Company
to reduce the number of shares otherwise issuable to the
Participant upon the exercise of the Non-Qualified Stock Option by
the number of shares with a Fair Market Value sufficient to pay the
exercise price.   In addition, if the Committee approves, the
Option Agreement may provide that the Participant may elect, on

                             7
<PAGE>
terms set forth in the Option Agreement, to have the Company
withhold from the shares of Stock payable to the Participant upon
exercise of an Option the number of shares of Stock having a Fair
Market Value equal to the amount of any required withholding taxes.

     6.  Use of Proceeds.  The proceeds received by the Company
from the sale of Stock pursuant to the exercise of an Option may be
used for general corporate purposes.

     7.  Restrictions Upon Exercise of Option.  The exercise of
each Option shall be subject to the condition that if at any time
the Company shall determine in its discretion that the satisfaction
of withholding tax or other withholding liabilities under any state
or Federal law, or that the listing, registration or qualification
of any shares otherwise deliverable upon such exercise upon any
securities exchange or under any state or Federal law, or that the
consent or approval of any regulatory body, is necessary or
desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, such exercise
or the delivery or purchase of shares thereunder, then in any such
event such exercise shall not be effective unless such withholding,
listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall
have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not
acceptable to the Company.

     8.  Repricing Prohibited.  There shall be no grant of an
Option(s) to a Participant in exchange for a Participant's
agreement to cancellation of a higher-priced Option(s) that was
previously granted to such Participant.


III. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS  

     1.  General.  Each employee chosen to receive a Stock
Appreciation Right(s) may be granted a Tandem Stock Appreciation
Right, a Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right or both, subject to
the following terms, conditions and restrictions and subject to
such additional terms, conditions and restrictions as may be
determined by the Committee from time to time hereafter; provided
however, that no Right shall be subject to additional terms,
conditions or restrictions which are more favorable to a
Participant than the terms, conditions and restrictions set forth
in the Plan.  
     2.  Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights.  Each Tandem Stock
Appreciation Right may be granted only with respect to a share(s)
of Stock for which an Option(s) has been granted under the Plan,
and may be awarded concurrently with the grant of such Option or at
any time thereafter while the Option is outstanding.  If the
Committee so determines, a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may also
be granted with respect to a share(s) of Stock for which an option
has been granted and is outstanding under any other plan of the
Company. A Stock Appreciation Right shall be evidenced by a Stock
Appreciation Right Agreement which shall contain such terms and
conditions (which may include limitations as to the time when such
Stock Appreciation Right becomes exercisable and when it ceases to
be exercisable that are more restrictive than the limitations
applicable to the Related Option(s)) not inconsistent with the Plan


                             8
<PAGE>
as the Committee shall determine; provided, however, that each
Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall satisfy the following
requirements:

         (a)        Termination of a Right.  If the Related Option
     is exercised, in whole or in part, then the Right with respect
     to the shares of Stock purchased pursuant to such exercise
     (but not with respect to any unpurchased shares of Stock)
     shall terminate as of the date of the exercise.  If an
     unexercised Right is otherwise exercisable on the date that
     the Related Option expires, and if the Fair Market Value of
     the shares of Stock with respect to which such Right was
     granted, determined as of the date of such expiration, exceeds
     the Option price of such shares, then, notwithstanding Section
     2(b), the Right shall automatically be deemed to have been
     exercised as of the date of such expiration; otherwise, on the
     date that the Related Option expires, any outstanding Right
     related thereto shall be terminated as of the date of such
     expiration.

         (b)        Exercise.  Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights may
     be exercised (i) only at such time or times as, and to the
     extent that, the Related Options shall be exercisable, (ii)
     only upon surrender of the Related Options with respect to the
     shares for which the Rights are then being exercised, and
     (iii) subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the
     Stock Appreciation Right Agreement; provided that no Tandem
     Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised prior to the
     expiration of six (6) months from the date of the grant and
     can only be exercised during the ten-day period beginning on
     the third business day following the release of the Company's
     quarterly or annual statement of sales and earnings.

     3.  Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights.  Each Non-Tandem
Stock Appreciation Right may be granted with respect to a share(s)
of Stock or, if the Committee so determines, in exchange for an
outstanding Option or an outstanding stock option granted under any
other plan of the Company.  A Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right
shall be evidenced by a Stock Appreciation Right Agreement which
shall contain such terms and conditions not inconsistent with the
Plan as the Committee shall determine; provided, however, that each
Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall satisfy the following
requirements:

         (a)        Termination of a Right.  A Non-Tandem Stock
     Appreciation Right shall terminate as of the earlier of (i)
     the date of exercise of such Right, to the extent that it is
     exercised; or (ii) the termination date specified in the Stock
     Appreciation Right Agreement.  If an unexercised Right is
     otherwise exercisable on the date that it expires, and if the
     Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock with respect to which
     such Right was granted, determined as of the date of such
     expiration, exceeds the exercise price of such Right (set
     forth in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement), then the
     Right shall automatically be deemed to have been exercised as
     of the date of such expiration.


                             9
<PAGE>
         (b)        Exercise.  Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights
     may be exercised in accordance with the terms and conditions
     set forth in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement; provided
     that (i) no Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right that is
     payable all or in part in Stock may be exercised prior to the
     expiration of six (6) months from the date of the grant; (ii)
     the exercise price of any Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right
     granted in exchange for an outstanding Option or for an
     outstanding stock option granted under any other plan of the
     Company shall be the same exercise price as that outstanding
     Option or option and (iii) the exercise price of any Non-
     Tandem Stock Appreciation Right not granted in exchange for an
     outstanding Option or for an outstanding stock option granted
     under any other plan of the Company shall be the Fair Market
     Value of the Stock on the date of the grant of the Right(s).

     4.  Payment.

         (a)        Amount.  Upon the exercise of a Stock
     Appreciation Right, a Participant shall be entitled to receive
     the excess of the aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of
     Stock with respect to which the Right is being exercised
     (determined as of the date of such exercise) over (i) the
     aggregate option price of such shares in the case of Tandem
     Stock Appreciation Rights; or (ii) the aggregate exercise
     price (set forth in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement) in
     the case of Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights.

         (b)        Form.  Any amount which becomes payable upon
     exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right under the Plan shall be
     paid entirely in cash, entirely in Stock or partly in cash and
     partly in Stock in accordance with such terms and conditions
     as are provided in the applicable Stock Appreciation Right
     Agreement; provided, however, that notwithstanding any
     provision in any Stock Appreciation Right Agreement, the
     Committee may determine in its sole and absolute judgment that
     any amount which may become payable upon exercise of a Right
     shall be paid entirely in cash.

     5.  Termination of Employment.

         (a)   General.  If a Participant ceases to be an employee
     of the Company or of a Subsidiary for any reason other than
     Retirement, Disability or death, all of such Participant's
     outstanding Rights shall immediately terminate.

         (b)  Retirement or Disability.  If a Participant's
     employment  is terminated by Retirement or Disability, the
     Participant's right to exercise all or any portion of any
     Right after the date of such Retirement or Disability shall be
     determined by the provisions of the Stock Appreciation Right
     Agreement; provided, however, that such Agreement shall
     provide that the Committee may terminate the Participant's
     Right prior to the date on which the Right is exercised if the
     Participant's Retirement was without the consent of the
     Company, or if the Participant engages during such period of


                             10
<PAGE>
     Retirement or Disability in employment or activities contrary,
     in the opinion of the Committee, to the best interests of the
     Company.

         (c) Death.  If a Participant's employment is terminated by
     death at a time when the Participant has not fully exercised
     any then outstanding Rights, or if a Participant dies after
     Retirement or Disability without having fully exercised any
     then outstanding Rights, the beneficiary designated by the
     Participant (or, in the absence of such designation, the
     executors or administrators or legatees or distributees of the
     Participant's estate) shall have the right to exercise such
     Right in whole or in part during such period following the
     Participant's death as set forth in the Stock Appreciation
     Right Agreement.  The Company shall prescribe the procedures
     and requirements for beneficiary designations not inconsistent
     with this provision and has the right to review and approve
     such designations.

     6.  Expiration.  If the period in which a Stock Appreciation
Right is exercisable expires and the Right has not been exercised,
then such Right shall terminate as of the last day on which it was
exercisable.

     7.  Nonassignability.  Each Right shall not be transferable
(other than, upon the death of the Participant, by beneficiary
designation, by last will and testament or by the laws of descent
and distribution) and shall be exercisable during the Participant's
lifetime only by the Participant.

     8.  Restrictions Upon Exercise of Rights.  The exercise of
each Right shall be subject to the condition that if at any time
the Company shall determine in its discretion that the satisfaction
of withholding tax or other withholding liabilities under any state
or Federal law, or that the consent or approval of any regulatory
body, is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection
with, such exercise, then, in any such event, such exercise shall
not be effective unless such withholding, consent or approval shall
have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not
acceptable to the Company.    



IV.  RESTRICTED STOCK GRANTS

     1.  General.   A Restricted Stock Grant made under the Plan
shall contain the following terms, conditions and restrictions and
such additional terms, conditions and restrictions as may be
determined by the Committee from time to time hereafter; provided,
however, that no Restricted Stock Grant shall be subject to
additional terms, conditions or restrictions which are more
favorable to a Participant than the terms, conditions and
restrictions set forth in the Plan.

     2.  Restrictions.  Subject to the provisions of Part IV,
Section 3, shares of Stock granted to a Participant pursuant to a
Restricted Stock Grant:

                             11
<PAGE>
         (i)  shall not be sold, assigned, conveyed, transferred,
     pledged, hypothecated, or otherwise disposed of, and

         (ii)  shall be returned to the Company forthwith, and all
     the rights of the Participant to such shares shall immediately
     terminate without any payment or consideration by the Company,
     if the Participant's continuous employment with the Company or
     any Subsidiary shall terminate for any reason, except as
     provided in Part IV, Section 4.  Such return of such Stock
     shall be accomplished by the Participant's delivering or
     causing to be delivered to the Secretary or any Assistant
     Secretary of the Company the certificate(s) for such shares of
     Stock, accompanied by such endorsement(s) and/or instrument(s)
     of transfer as may be required by the Secretary or any
     Assistant Secretary of the Company.

     3.  Lapse of Restrictions.

         (a)        General.  Subject to the provisions of Part IV,
     Sections 3(b) and 4 and of Part VII, Section 4, the
     restrictions set forth in Part IV, Section 2 shall lapse on
     such date or dates on or after the first anniversary and on or
     before the tenth anniversary of the date as of which the
     Restricted Stock Grant is made, as the Committee shall
     determine at the time of the Restricted Stock Grant.

         (b) Performance Restricted Stock.  If the Committee has
     designated the Stock covered by a Restricted Stock Grant as
     Performance Restricted Stock, then the lapse of restrictions
     set forth in Part IV, Section 2 that would otherwise occur on
     a specified date shall also be subject to the following:

            (i) if the Company meets or exceeds the Target Long-
         Term EPS Growth Objective (after adjustment for Relative
         Performance Rank) for the most recently ended Long-Term
         Performance Period, then the restrictions that would
         otherwise lapse on such date shall lapse as to 100% of the
         shares of such Performance Restricted Stock; and

            (ii) if the Company meets or exceeds the Threshold
         Long-Term EPS Growth Objective (after adjustment for
         Relative Performance Rank) but does not meet or exceed the
         Target Long-Term Growth Objective (after adjustment for
         Relative Performance Rank) for the most recently ended
         Long-Term Performance Period, then the restrictions on the
         shares of Performance Restricted Stock that would
         otherwise lapse on such date shall lapse as to (i) 50% of
         such shares plus (ii) 50% of such shares multiplied by a
         fraction (not less than zero and not greater than one),
         the numerator of which is the Company's actual Long-Term
         EPS Growth for the most recently ended Long-Term
         Performance Period less the Threshold Long-Term EPS Growth
         Objective for such period and the denominator of which is
         the Target Long-Term EPS Growth Objective for such period
         less the Threshold Long-Term EPS Growth Objective for such
         period, and the remaining shares of Performance Restricted
         Stock shall immediately forfeit to the Company; and

                             12
<PAGE>
            (iii) if the Company does not meet or exceed the
         Threshold Long-Term EPS Objective (after adjustment for
         Relative Performance Rank) for the most recently ended
         Long-Term Performance Period, then 100% of the shares of
         such Performance Restricted Stock shall immediately
         forfeit to the Company.

     For purposes of this Section 3(b), the terms Long-Term
     Performance Period, Relative Performance Rank, Target Long-
     Term EPS Objective and Threshold Long-Term EPS Objective shall
     have the same meanings as in the Company's Executive Incentive
     Compensation Plan for Payless Executives.  No restrictions
     shall lapse on any Performance Restricted Stock until the
     Committee certifies, in writing, that the requirements set
     forth in this Section 3(b) have been satisfied.

         (c)        Forfeiture.  All shares of Stock forfeited
     under this Section 3 shall be returned to the Company
     forthwith, and all the rights of the Participant to such
     shares shall immediately terminate without any payment or
     consideration by the Company.

     4.  Termination of Employment By Reason of Death or
Disability.  If a Participant who has been in the continuous
employment of the Company or of a Subsidiary since the date as of
which a Restricted Stock Grant was made to such Participant shall,
while in such employment, die or become Disabled and such
Participant's death or Disability shall occur more than one year
after the date as of which the Restricted Stock Grant was made to
such Participant, then the restrictions set forth in Part IV,
Section 2 shall lapse as to all shares of Restricted Stock granted
to such Participant pursuant to such Restricted Stock Grant on the
date of such event.  A Participant may file a written designation
of beneficiary to receive, in the event of the Participant's death,
any shares for which restrictions lapse on the date of death.  The
Company shall prescribe procedures and requirements for beneficiary
designations not inconsistent with this provision and has the right
to review and approve such designations.

     5.  Agreement by Employee Regarding Withholding Taxes.  Each
Participant shall agree that, subject to the provisions of Part IV,
Section 6,

         (i)  no later than the date as of which the restrictions
     mentioned in Part IV, Section 2 and in the instrument
     evidencing the making of the Restricted Stock Grant shall
     lapse, such Participant will pay to the Company in cash, or,
     if the Committee approves, in Stock, or make other
     arrangements satisfactory to the Committee regarding payment
     of, any Federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by
     law to be withheld with respect to the shares of Stock subject
     to such Restricted Stock Grant, and

         (ii)  the Company and its Subsidiaries shall, to the
     extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct from any
     payment of any kind otherwise due to the Participant any


                             13
<PAGE>
     Federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to
     be withheld with respect to the shares of Stock subject to
     such Restricted Stock Grant.

     6.  Election to Recognize Gross Income in the Year of Grant. 
If any Participant properly elects, within thirty (30) days of the
date of grant, to include in gross income for Federal income tax
purposes an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares of
Stock granted on the date of grant, such Participant shall pay to
the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Committee to
pay to the Company in the year of such grant, any Federal, state or
local taxes required to be withheld with respect to such shares. 
If such Participant shall fail to make such payments, the Company
and its Subsidiaries shall, to the extent permitted by law, have
the right to deduct from any payment of any kind otherwise due to
the employee any Federal, state or local taxes of any kind required
by law to be withheld with respect to such shares.

     7.  Restrictive Legend; Certificates May be Held in Custody. 
Each certificate evidencing shares of Stock granted pursuant to a
Restricted Stock Grant shall, (i) if issued to any person other
than the Company for safekeeping while the restrictions apply, bear
an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions and
restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock Grant and (ii) if
issued to the Company for safekeeping while the restrictions apply,
be noted as restricted on the records of the transfer agent.  Any
attempt to dispose of such shares of Stock in contravention of such
terms, conditions and restrictions shall be ineffective.  The
Committee may adopt rules which provide that the certificates
evidencing such shares may be held in custody by a bank or other
institution, or that the Company may itself hold such shares in
custody, until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed.

     8.  Restrictions upon Making of Restricted Stock Grants.  The
listing upon the New York Stock Exchange or the registration or
qualification under any Federal or state law of any shares of Stock
to be granted pursuant to Restricted Stock Grants (whether to
permit the making of Restricted Stock Grants or the resale or other
disposition of any such shares of Stock by or on behalf of the
employees receiving such shares) may be necessary or desirable as
a condition of or in connection with such Restricted Stock Grants
and if, in any such event, the Board in its sole discretion so
determines, delivery of the certificates for such shares of Stock
shall not be made until such listing, registration or qualification
shall have been completed.  In such connection, the Company agrees
that it will use its best effort to effect any such listing,
registration or qualification; provided, however, the Company shall
not be required to use its best efforts to effect such registration
under the Securities Act of 1933 other than on Form S-8, as
presently in effect, or such other forms as may be in effect from
time to time calling for information comparable to that presently
required to be furnished under Form S-8.

     9.  Restrictions upon Resale of Stock.  If the shares of Stock
that have been granted to a Participant pursuant to the terms of
the Plan are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, pursuant to an effective registration statement, such

                             14
<PAGE>
Participant, if the Committee shall deem it advisable, may be
required to represent and agree in writing that (i) any shares of
Stock acquired by such employee pursuant to the Plan will not be
sold except pursuant to an effective registration statement under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or pursuant to an exemption
from registration under said Act and (ii) such Participant is
acquiring such shares of Stock for the Participant's own account
and not with a view to the distribution thereof.


V.   PERFORMANCE UNITS

     1.  General.  The Committee may, from time to time and upon
such terms and conditions as it may determine, grant Performance
Units which will become payable to a Participant upon the
achievement of specified performance objectives.  Each grant of
Performance Units shall be evidenced by a Performance Unit
Agreement which shall contain such terms and conditions consistent
with the Plan as the Committee shall determine; provided, however
that each grant of Performance Units shall satisfy the following
requirements:  

     (a) Each grant shall specify the number of Performance Units
to which it pertains.

     (b) The performance period with respect to each Performance
     Unit shall be such period of time commencing with the date of
     grant as shall be determined by the Committee at the time of
     grant.

     (c) Each grant shall specify performance objectives, if any,
     that are to be achieved in order for payments to be made with
     respect to such Performance Units.

     (d) Each grant shall specify a minimum acceptable level of
     achievement in respect of the specified performance objective
     below which no payment will be made and shall set forth a
     formula for determining the amount of payment to be made if
     performance is at or above such minimum, but short of full
     achievement of the performance objectives.

     (e) Each grant shall specify the time and manner of payment
     (whether in cash, shares of Stock or a combination thereof) of
     Performance Units which have been earned.  If the value of a
     Performance Unit is paid in whole or in part with Stock, the
     number of shares issued with respect to such Unit or portion
     thereof that is paid in Stock shall be based on the Fair Market
     Value of the Stock on the date the Performance Unit is earned. 
     In no event shall the total payment of a Performance Unit
     (whether in cash, shares of Stock or a combination thereof)
     exceed the amount earned based on the performance objectives
     established at the time of grant.

     (f) The Committee may adjust the performance objectives and the
     related minimum acceptable level of achievement if, in the sole
     judgment of the Committee, events or transactions, such as stock
     splits, recapitalizations, mergers, combinations, divestitures,

                             15
<PAGE>
     spin-offs and the like, have occurred after the date of grant
     which are unrelated to the performance of the Participant and
     result in distortion of the performance objectives or the related
     minimum.
     2.  Payment for Performance Units.  Full and/or partial payment
of Performance Units will be made only upon certification by the
Committee of the attainment by the Participant of the performance
objectives.  

     3.  Termination of Employment by Reason of Death, Disability or
Retirement.  The Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine that
Performance Units awarded to a Participant shall become partially or
fully vested upon such Participant's termination of employment due to
death, Disability or Retirement.

VI.      CANCELLATION AND RESCISSION.

     1.  Competition; Confidential Information.  

         (a)  Unless an Option Agreement or a Stock Appreciation Right
     Agreement (any such agreement being referred to herein as an
     "Agreement") specifies otherwise, the Committee may 

         (1) cancel at any time any unexercised Option or Right; or

         (2) rescind any exercise of an Option or Right; 

     if the Participant is not in compliance with all other applicable
     provisions of the Agreement or the Plan or if, prior to any such
     exercise or within six months after such exercise, the
     Participant 

         (i) engages in a Competing Business, as such term is defined
     in the Agreement;  or 

         (ii) solicits for employment, hires or offers employment to,
         or discloses information to or otherwise aids or assists any
         other person or entity other than the Company in soliciting
         for employment, hiring or offering employment to, any
         employee of the Company; or

         (iii) takes any action which is intended to harm the Company
         or its reputation, which the Company reasonably concludes
         could harm the Company or its reputation or which the Company
         reasonably concludes could lead to unwanted or unfavorable
         publicity to the Company; or

         (iv) discloses to anyone outside the Company, or uses in
         other than the Company's business, any "confidential
         information", as such term is defined in the Agreement.

         (b)  Upon exercise of an Option or Right, the Participant
     shall certify on a form acceptable to the Committee that the
     Participant is in compliance with the terms and conditions of the
     Agreement and the Plan. 



                             16
<PAGE>
         (c)  The Company shall immediately notify the Participant in
     writing of any cancellation of any unexercised Option or Right. 
     Following receipt of such notice, the Participant shall have no
     further rights with respect to such Option or Right.

         (d)  The Company shall notify the Participant in writing of
     any rescission of an exercise of an Option or Right within one
     year after the activity referred to in Part VI, Section 1(a). 
     Within ten days after receiving such a notice from the Company,
     the Participant shall either (i) pay to the Company the excess of
     the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of exercise of an
     Option over the exercise price for the Option or the Fair Market
     Value of the Stock and/or cash distributed to the Participant as
     a result of the exercise of a Right or (ii) return the Stock
     received upon the exercise of an Option (in which case the
     Company will return the exercise price to the Participant) or
     return the Stock and/or cash distributed upon the exercise of a
     Right.

     2.  Agreement by Participant Regarding Deduction.   The
Participant shall agree and consent to a deduction from any amounts
the Company owes to the Participant from time to time (including
amounts owed as wages or other compensation, fringe benefits, or
vacation pay, as well as any other amounts owed to the Participant by
the Company), to the extent of the amounts the Participant owes the
Company under this Article VI. Whether or not the Company elects to
make any set-off in whole or in part, if the Company does not recover
by means of set-off the full amount owed by the Participant,
calculated as set forth in this Article VI, then the Participant
agrees to pay immediately the unpaid balance to the Company.


VII. MISCELLANEOUS

     1.  Effective Date.  The Plan became effective on April 30, 1996,
subject to approval by shareowners, and the Plan was approved by
shareowners on April 30, 1996.

     2.  Duration of Plan.  Unless sooner terminated, the Plan shall
remain in effect until April 30, 2006.  Termination of the Plan shall
not affect any Options or Rights previously granted, which Options or
Rights shall remain in effect until exercised, surrendered, or
canceled, or until they have expired, all in accordance with their
terms.  Termination of the Plan shall not affect any Restricted Stock
Grants previously made, or Stock previously granted pursuant to a
Restricted Stock Grant; the terms, conditions and restrictions
applicable to shares issued pursuant to a Restricted Stock Grant shall
remain in effect until such terms, conditions and restrictions shall
have lapsed all in accordance with their terms.  Termination of the
Plan shall not affect any grant of Performance Units previously made;
the terms and conditions applicable to such Performance Units shall
remain in effect until the Performance Units are earned in accordance
with their terms.

     3.  Changes in Capital Structure.  In the event that there is any
change in the capital structure of the Company through merger,
consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or

                             17
<PAGE>
otherwise, or if there shall be any dividend on the Company's Stock,
payable in such Stock, or if there shall be a Stock split or a
combination of shares, then:

         (i)        the number of shares reserved for Options (both in
     the aggregate and with respect to each Participant) and the
     number of shares subject to outstanding Options and the price per
     share of each such Option;

         (ii) the number of shares with respect to which Rights may be
     exercised (both in the aggregate and with respect to each
     Participant); and

         (iii)  the number of shares of Stock reserved for Restricted
     Stock Grants under the Plan
shall be proportionately adjusted by the Board as it deems equitable,
in its absolute discretion, to prevent dilution or enlargement of the
rights of a Participant and any shares issued pursuant to such change
in capital structure shall be subject to the same terms, conditions
and restrictions as the shares of Stock with respect to which newly
issued shares are issued.  The issuance of Stock for consideration and
the issuance of Stock rights shall not be considered a change in the
Company's capital structure.  No adjustment provided for in this
Section 3 shall require the issuance of any fractional share.

     4.  Change in Control.  If while unexercised Options, Rights,
Restricted Stock Grants or Performance Units remain outstanding under
the Plan:

         (i)  any "person," as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and
     14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
     "Exchange Act") (other than the Company, any trustee or other
     fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of
     the Company, or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the
     shareowners of the Company in substantially the same proportions
     as their ownership of stock of the Company), is or becomes the
     "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange
     Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company
     representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the
     Company's then outstanding securities;

         (ii)  during any period of two consecutive years, individuals
     who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any
     new director (other than a director designated by a person who
     has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a
     transaction described in clause (i), (iii) or (iv) of this
     Section) whose election by the Board or nomination for election
     by the Company's shareowners was approved by a vote of at least
     two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either
     were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election
     or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for
     any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof;

         (iii) the shareowners of the Company approve a merger or
     consolidation of the Company with any other Company, other than
     (1) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting
     securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto

                             18
<PAGE>
     continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by
     being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity)
     more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting
     securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding
     immediately after such merger or consolidation or (2) a merger or
     consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the
     Company (or similar transaction) in which no "person" (as
     hereinabove defined) acquires more than 50% of the combined
     voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities; or

         (iv) the shareowners of the Company approve a plan of
     complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale
     or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the
     Company's assets,

then from and after the date of the first of the foregoing events to
occur, (a) all Options and Rights held by active employees on such
date shall be exercisable in full, whether or not otherwise
exercisable; (b) the restrictions set forth in Part IV, Section 2 on
all outstanding Restricted Stock Grants, including Performance
Restricted Stock Grants, shall lapse; and (c) Performance Units shall
be earned and become fully payable.

     5.  Amendment or Termination.  The Board may, by resolution,
amend or terminate the Plan at any time; provided, however, that 

     (i) shareowner approval shall be required for (1) any changes to
     the Plan which would require shareowner approval under the New
     York Business Corporation Law, Rule 16b-3 of the Securities
     Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or Section 162(m) of the Code,
     and (2) except as otherwise provided herein or  except for
     changes which do not otherwise involve in the aggregate more than
     5% of the total shares authorized under the Plan, any other
     changes to the Plan that would (a) increase the maximum number of
     shares that may be issued under the Plan, (b) permit
     participation by persons who are not employees of the Company,
     (c) permit regranting or repricing of previously granted stock
     options, or (d) waive restrictions on previously granted
     restricted stock awards except in the case of retirement or other
     termination of employment; and 

     (ii) the Board may not, without the written consent of the
     Participant, alter, impair or adversely affect any right of such
     Participant with respect to any Option, Right or Performance Unit
     previously granted,  or Restricted Stock Grant grant previously
     made to such Participant under the Plan except as authorized
     herein.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may, by resolution, amend the
Plan in any way that it deems necessary or appropriate in order to
make income with respect to the Plan deductible for Federal income tax
purposes under Section 162(m) of the Code without regard to the
foregoing provisos (i) and (ii), and any such amendment shall be
effective as of such date as is necessary to make such income under
the Plan so deductible.  



                             19
<PAGE>
     7.  Unfunded Plan.  The Plan shall be unfunded.  Neither the
Company nor the Committee shall be required to segregate any assets
that may at any time be represented by Options or Rights under the
Plan.  Neither the Company nor the Committee shall be deemed to be a
trustee of any amounts to be paid under the Plan.  Any liability of
the Company to any Participant with respect to a right shall be based
solely upon any contractual obligations created by the Plan, a
Performance Unit Agreement, a Stock Appreciation Right Agreement or an
Option Agreement; no such obligation shall be deemed to be secured by
any pledge or any encumbrance on any property of the Company.
















































                             20
<PAGE>


<PAGE>
                                                          Exhibit 10.8













       RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN FOR NON-MANAGEMENT DIRECTORS

                      Effective May 4, 1996

                    Last Amended July 17, 1997








































<PAGE>
       RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN FOR NON-MANAGEMENT DIRECTORS
                     Effective May 4, 1996

  I.  GENERAL

  1. Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to provide certain
compensation to eligible directors of the Corporation and to
encourage the highest level of performance of non-management
directors by providing those directors with a proprietary
interest in the Corporation's success and progress by granting
them shares of the Corporation's common stock which are
restricted in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth
below.

  2. Definitions. Whenever used herein, the following terms
shall have the meanings set forth below:

  (a) "Annual Retainer" means an annual grant of restricted
Stock to an eligible director, as described in Section 5 of Part
I of the Plan.

  (b) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the
Corporation.

  (c)  "Committee" means a committee designated by the
Board, which shall consist of not less than two employee members
of the Board who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure
of the Board and who shall be "disinterested. within the meaning
of Rule 16b of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. No person who is a Participant
may be a member of that committee. Any person who is appointed a
member of that committee and who accepts such appointment shall,
by virtue thereof, be ineligible thereafter to be made a
Restricted Stock Grant under the Plan.

  (d) "Corporation" means Payless ShoeSource, Inc.

  (e) "Disability" means a medically determinable physical
or mental impairment which renders a Participant substantially
unable to function as a director of the Corporation.

  (f) "Initial Grant" means the initial grant of restricted
Stock to an individual who first becomes an eligible director on
or after the effective date of the Plan, as described in Section
5 of Part I of the Plan. 

  (g) "Participant" means a member of the Board (i) who is
not at the time of grant an officer of the Corporation and (ii)
to whom a Restricted Stock Grant is made under the Plan.

  (h) "Plan" means the Restricted Stock Plan for Non-
Management Directors of Payless ShoeSource, Inc.






                             2
<PAGE>
  (i) "Restricted Period" means the period from the
Restricted Stock Grant until the earlier of (i) the cessation of
the Participant's membership on the Board by reason of death or
Disability and (ii) the later of (a) the expiration of the six
month period immediately following the Restricted Stock Grant or
(b) the date on which the Participant's service as a director of
the Corporation terminates (other than by reason of death or
Disability).

  (j) "Restricted Stock Grant" means a grant described in
Part II of the Plan which is made by the Corporation pursuant to
the Plan.

  (k) "Stock" means the common stock of the Corporation.

  (l) "Year of Service" means (i) each full annual period
from the date of the first annual meeting at which the
Participant was elected as a director (which may include service
before or after the Participant became a Participant, as
determined by the Committee) to the date of the last annual
meeting through which the Participant served continually as a
director, and (ii) if the Participant was first elected to become
a member of the Board by the Board during the last six calendar
months of the year, the period from the date of such election
until the first annual meeting of shareholders next following
such election.


  3. Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the
Committee. Subject to all the applicable
 provisions of the Plan, the Committee is authorized to construe
and interpret the Plan, to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and
regulations relating to the Plan and to make all determinations
and take all actions necessary or advisable for the Plan's
administration; provided, however, that the Committee shall have
no discretion with respect to granting any shares of Stock to any
Participant, it being the intent that the granting of shares of
Stock hereunder shall be automatic, pursuant to the formula set
forth in Paragraph 5 of this Part I of the Plan. The Committee
shall act by vote or written consent of a majority of its
members. Whenever the Plan authorizes or requires the Committee
to take any action, make any determination or decision or form
any opinion, then any such action, determination, decision or
opinion by or of the Committee shall be conclusive and binding on
all persons. The Committee may obtain such advice or assistance
as it deems appropriate from persons not serving on the
Committee.

  4. Shares of Stock Which May Be Granted. There may be
granted under the Plan an aggregate of not more than 300,000
shares of Stock, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3
of Part III of the Plan. Shares of Stock granted under the Plan
shall be treasury shares. If any shares of Stock shall be
returned to the Corporation pursuant to the termination
provisions described in Section 1 of Part II of the Plan or in
the instruments evidencing the making of Restricted Stock Grants,
such shares may again be granted under the Plan.

                             3
<PAGE>
  5. Participants.

  Initial Grants

  The individuals who are eligible to receive Restricted
Stock Grants hereunder shall be limited to all members of the
Board who are not at the time of the grant officers of the
Corporation. Each eligible director on the effective date of the
Plan shall receive an Initial Grant of 1,000 shares of restricted
Stock. Each individual who first becomes an eligible director
after the effective date of the Plan shall receive an Initial
Grant of 1,000 shares of restricted Stock on the date of first
becoming an eligible director.

  Annual Retainers

  Each individual who is an eligible director on the
effective date of the Plan, and who will continue to be an
eligible director after such date, shall receive an Annual
Retainer of $35,000, payable in Stock, the number of shares to be
determined based on the average of the high and low trading
prices of the Stock on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") for
each of the first 30 days on which trading in the stock occurs.
Each individual who is an eligible director on the date of any
annual meeting of shareholders held during 1997 and subsequent
years, and who will continue to be an eligible director after the
date of such annual meeting of shareholders, shall receive an
Annual Retainer of $35,000, payable in Stock, the number of
shares to be determined based on the average of the high and low
trading prices of the Stock on the NYSE on the date of such
annual meeting of shareholders, or if that day is not a trading
day, on the last trading day thereto.

  Each individual who becomes a member of the Board during
the period between any two annual meetings shall receive a pro
rata share of the Annual Retainer based on the number of months
remaining from the date the Participant joins the Board until the
next annual meeting. This pro rata portion of the Annual Retainer
shall be payable in Stock, the number of shares to be determined
based on the average of the high and low trading prices of the
Stock on the NYSE on the date the Participant joins the Board, or
if that day is not a trading day, on the last trading day
thereto.

  Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary,
a Participant may elect, at such time and in such manner as
provided in the Non-Management Directors Deferred Compensation
Plan, the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein, not to
receive his Initial Grant or Annual Retainer(s) in the form of
restricted Stock, but rather and in lieu thereof, to defer some
or all of such amounts pursuant to the provisions of said
Deferred Compensation Plan, with the balance of such Initial
Grant or Annual Retainer which is not deferred, if any, to be
paid in the form of restricted Stock as otherwise provided in
this Plan.



                             4
<PAGE>
  6. Rights with Respect to Shares of Stock. A Participant
shall have, after a certificate or certificates for the number of
shares of Stock granted have been issued in his or her name,
absolute ownership of such shares including the right to vote the
same and receive dividends thereon, subject, however, to the
terms, conditions and restrictions described in the Plan and in
the instrument evidencing the making of the Restricted Stock
Grant to such Participant. The Corporation will hold all
certificates until all restrictions on them have lapsed.

  II. RESTRICTED STOCK GRANTS

  Each Restricted Stock Grant made under the Plan shall
contain the following terms, conditions and restrictions and such
additional terms, conditions and restrictions as may be
determined by the Committee from time to time hereafter.

  1. Restrictions. Shares of Stock granted to a Participant
pursuant to a Restricted Stock Grant shall not be sold, assigned,
conveyed, transferred, pledged, hypothecated, or otherwise
disposed of until the end of the Restricted Period, but only to
the extent of the shares which had vested on or prior to the end
of the Restricted Period in accordance with Section 2 or 3 of
this Part II. If the restrictions shall not have lapsed at the
end of the Restricted Period as to any of the shares, then,
except as provided In Section 3 of this Part II, the shares as to
which the restrictions shall not have lapsed shall be returned to
the Corporation forthwith, and all the rights of the Participant
to such shares shall immediately terminate without any payment or
consideration by the Corporation.

  2. Vesting. Except as set forth in Section 3 of this Part
II, all Restricted Stock, whether part of an Initial Grant or an
Annual Retainer, is forfeitable during the first six months
following the date of the grant. Thereafter, as to the Initial
Grant, a Participant will be vested with respect to one-fifth of
the shares granted for each Year of Service the Participant has
then completed. A Participant will be vested with respect to one-
half of the shares granted in Annual Retainers that are granted
on the date of an annual meeting to that Participant on the first
November 1 following the date of the annual meeting and will be
vested in the remaining one-half of such shares as of the first
May 1 following the end of the calendar year in which such shares
were granted. A Participant joining the Board during the period
between any two annual meetings shall be vested in the shares
granted in the pro rata Annual Retainer in equal portions on the
first day of each month following the date that individual joined
the Board up to the next annual meeting. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Committee may accelerate the vesting of shares
under such terms and conditions as may be appropriate.

  3. Termination of Membership on Board by Reason of Death
or Disability. Any provision of Section 2 of this Part II to the
contrary notwithstanding, if a Participant who has been a member
of the Board continuously since the date as of which a Restricted
Stock Grant was made to such Participant shall cease to be such a
member by reason of such death or Disability, then the

                             5
<PAGE>
Participant shall become fully vested on the date of such event
as to all shares of Stock granted to such Participant pursuant to
such Restricted Stock Grant.

  4. Agreement by Participant Regarding Withholding Taxes.
Each Participant shall agree that, subject to the provisions of
Section 5 of this Part II:

  (i)   such Participant will timely pay to the Corporation,
  or make arrangements satisfactory to the Committee
  regarding payment of, any federal, state or local taxes of
  any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to
  the shares of Stock subject to such Restricted Stock
  Grant, and

  (ii)  the Corporation and its Subsidiaries shall, to the
  extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct from any
  payment of any kind otherwise due to the Participant any
  federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law
  to be withheld with respect to the shares of Stock subject
  to such Restricted Stock Grant.

  5. Election to Recognize Income in the Year of Grant. A
director may elect to be taxed when the Stock is granted or when
the Stock becomes non-forfeitable.

  (i)   If any Participant properly elects, within thirty
  days of the date of grant, to include in gross income for
  federal income tax purpose an amount equal to the fair
  market value of the shares of Stock granted on the date of
  grant, such Participant shall pay to the Corporation, or
  make arrangements satisfactory to the Committee to pay to
  the Corporation in the year of such grant, any federal,
  state or local taxes required to be withheld with respect
  to such shares. When such an election is made, dividends
  will be taxable as dividends. If such Participant shall
  fail to make the required tax payments, the Corporation
  and its Subsidiaries shall, to the extent permitted by
  law, have the right to deduct from any payment of any kind
  otherwise due to the Participant any federal, state or
  local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld
  with respect to such shares.

  (ii)  If a director elects to be taxed when the Stock
  becomes non-forfeitable, dividends will be taxed as
  ordinary income until the Stock ceases to be forfeitable
  at which time dividends will be taxed as dividends.

  6. Restrictive Legend; Certificates May be Held in
Custody. Each certificate evidencing shares of Stock granted
pursuant to a Restricted Stock Grant shall bear an appropriate
legend referring to the terms, conditions and restrictions
applicable to such Restricted Stock Grant. Any attempt to dispose
of such shares of Stock in contravention of such terms,
conditions and restrictions shall be ineffective. The Corporation
itself will hold such shares in custody, until the restrictions
thereon shall have lapsed.

                             6
 <PAGE>
  7. Restrictions upon Making of Restricted Stock Grants.
The listing upon the NYSE or the registration or qualification
under any federal or state law of any shares of Stock to be
granted pursuant to Restricted Stock Grants (whether to permit
the making of Restricted Stock Grants or the resale or other
disposition of any such shares of Stock by or on behalf of the
Participants receiving such shares) may be necessary or desirable
as a condition of or in connection with such Restricted Stock
Grants and if, in any such event, the Committee in its sole
discretion so determines, delivery of the certificates for such
shares of Stock shall not be made until such listing,
registration or qualification shall have been completed. In such
connection, the Corporation agrees that it will use its best
efforts to effect any such listing, registration or
qualification; provided, however, the Corporation shall not be
required to use its best efforts to effect such registration
under the Securities Act of 1933 other than on Form S-3 or Form
S-8, as in effect on the effective date of the Plan, or such
other forms as may be in effect from time to time calling for
information comparable to that required to be furnished under
Form S-3 and Form S-8 as in effect on the effective date of the
Plan. The Corporation shall not be obligated to issue or deliver
any shares of Restricted Stock if the issuance or delivery of
such shares shall constitute a violation of any provision of any
law or of any regulation of any governmental authority or any
national securities exchange.

  8. Restrictions upon Resale of Stock. If the shares of
Stock that have been granted to a Participant pursuant to the
terms of the Plan are not registered under the Securities Act of
1933 pursuant to an effective registration statement, such
participants, if the Committee shall deem it advisable, may be
required to represent and agree in writing (i) that any shares of
Stock acquired by such Participant pursuant to the Plan will not
be sold except pursuant to an effective registration statement
under the Securities Act of 1933 or pursuant to an exemption from
registration under said Act and (ii) that such Participant is
acquiring such shares of Stock for the Participant's own account
and not with a view to the distribution thereof.

  III. MISCELLANEOUS

  1. Effective Date. The Plan shall become effective on May
4, 1996.



  2. Duration of Plan. Unless terminated pursuant to Section
5 of Part III, the Plan shall remain in effect.

  3. Changes in Capital Structure. In the event that there
is any change in the capital structure of the Corporation through
merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or
otherwise, or if there shall be any dividend on the Stock,
payable in such Stock, or if there shall be a stock Split with
respect to the Stock or combination of shares, then:


                             7
<PAGE>
  (a)   the number of shares of Stock reserved for grants
under the Plan shall be proportionately adjusted by the Committee
as it deems equitable, in its absolute discretion, to prevent
dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants,

  (b)   any shares issued pursuant thereto shall be subject
to the same terms, conditions and restrictions as the shares of
Stock with respect to which such newly issued shares are issued
and
  
  (c)   any cash which is issued pursuant thereto shall be
deemed free from any restrictions.

  The issuance of Stock for consideration and the issuance
of stock rights with respect to the Stock shall not be considered
a change in the Corporation's capital structure.

  4.  Expenses of Plan. The expenses of the Plan shall be
borne by the Corporation.

  5.  Amendment or Termination. The Corporation, by the
action of any individual authorized to act generally on behalf of
the Corporation, may amend or terminate the Plan at any time;
provided, however, that subject to the provisions of Section 3 of
this Part III, the Corporation may not, without approval by the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled
to vote thereon and actually voting thereon, increase the number
of shares of Stock which may be granted under the Plan, change
the class of individuals eligible to participate in the Plan or
otherwise materially increase the benefits accruing to
Participants under the Plan or materially modify the requirements
with respect to eligibility for participation in the Plan; and
provided further that the provisions of Section 5 of Part I of
the Plan and the provision of Section 2 of Part II of the Plan
relating to Initial Grants and to Annual Retainers may not be
amended more than once every six months, other than to comport
with changes in the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act, or the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder. In the event that a Restricted Stock
Grant has been made to a Participant, then no amendment of the
Plan after the date as of which such Restricted Stock Grant was
made shall, unless otherwise required by law, adversely affect
any right of such Participant with respect to such Restricted
Stock Grant without the written consent of such Participant.
Termination of the Plan shall not affect any Restricted Stock
Grants previously made or shares of Stock previously granted
pursuant thereto; the terms, conditions and restrictions
applicable to such shares shall remain in effect until such
terms, conditions and restrictions shall have lapsed, all in
accordance with their terms.

  6. Nothing in this Plan shall be deemed to create any
obligation on the part of the Board to nominate any director for
reelection as a director by the shareholders of the Corporation.




                             8
<PAGE>


<PAGE>
                                                  Exhibit 10.16










                     PAYLESS SHOESOURCE, INC.

                    DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

                   FOR NON-MANAGEMENT DIRECTORS

                     Effective July 17, 1997









































<PAGE>

                     PAYLESS SHOESOURCE, INC.
                    DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
                   FOR NON-MANAGEMENT DIRECTORS
        
Section 1.  Purpose.
The purpose of this Plan is to provide an opportunity for Non-
Management Directors of Payless ShoeSource, Inc. to defer all or
a portion of their Initial Grant and Annual Retainer(s) under the
Restricted Stock Plan, as well as cash compensation for service
on the Board.

Section 2.  Definitions.
(a)  Annual Retainer means the annual grant of restricted Stock
under the Restricted Stock Plan for Non-Management Directors of
Payless ShoeSource, Inc. and any annual award of cash
compensation payable for service on the Board.

(b)  Board means the Board of Directors of Payless, as
hereinafter defined.

(c)  Fiscal Year means the fiscal year of Payless as established
from time to time.

(d)  Initial Grant means the initial grant of restricted Stock to
an eligible Non-Management Director under the Restricted Stock
Plan and any initial award of cash compensation payable for
service on the Board.

(e)  Non-Management Director means a member of the Board who is
not, at the time an election to defer is made, an officer of
Payless.

(f)  Payless means Payless ShoeSource, Inc., a Missouri
corporation, its successors and assigns.

(g)  Participant means a Non-Management Director who has elected
to participate in the Plan. 

(h)  Plan means the Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Management
Directors of Payless, as described herein.

(i)  Restricted Stock Plan means the Restricted Stock Plan for
Non-Management Directors of Payless ShoeSource, Inc., all of the
relevant terms of which are incorporated herein.

(j)  Stock means the common stock of Payless, as hereinafter defined.

(k)  Stock Unit means an accounting equivalent of one share of
Stock.

(l)  Stock Unit Account means an account on the records of
Payless in respect of Stock Units which have been and/or may be
allocated to a Participant in the manner hereinafter set forth.

Section 3.  Methods of Payment. 
(a)  Except as hereinafter provided, prior to the effective date
of an individual first becoming an eligible Non-Management
                             2
<PAGE>
Director and as of the first day of each calendar year thereafter
while such individual remains an eligible Non-Management
Director, each Participant shall be afforded the opportunity to
make an election to have either of the following alternative
methods of payment applied to all or any portion of the Initial
Grant and/or the Annual Retainer under the Restricted Stock Plan
and of any additional cash compensation which such Participant
shall be entitled to receive as awarded at the annual
shareowners' meeting during said calendar year.

     (i)  Alternative (i): Payment of the Initial Grant and of
          the Annual Retainer in the form of restricted Stock
          pursuant to the terms of the Restricted Stock Plan and
          payment in cash of any additional compensation that is
          payable initially or annually as of the date of the
          annual shareowners' meeting.

    (ii)  Alternative (ii): Payment of any cash compensation at a
          deferred date or dates either in a lump sum or in
          annual installments, as may be elected by the
          Participant, such deferred cash payment when made to
          include interest, as hereinafter provided, from the
          first day of May next following the date of the annual
          shareowners' meeting as of which the compensation was
          awarded to the date of payment.

   (iii)  Alternative (iii): Payment of the amount of the
          Initial Grant and of the Annual Retainer,
          otherwise payable in the form of restricted Stock,
          at a deferred date or dates either in a lump sum
          or in annual installments, as may be elected by
          the Participant, such deferred payment in the form
          of Stock to be made for Stock Units allocated to
          the Participant as hereinafter provided.

If any Participant shall fail to make an election with respect to
any year, he shall be deemed to have elected not to defer any
portion of his Initial Grant or Annual Retainer, as applicable,
for such year.  The Participant shall make an irrevocable
determination with respect to the payment schedule (i.e., a lump
sum payment or payments in annual installments) under Alternative
(ii) or (iii) prior to the commencement of the calendar year for
which such Alternative was elected by the Participant, or, if a
Participant is newly elected or appointed to the Board, prior to
the first meeting following such election or appointment.

(b)  Consistent with the provisions of Sections 2 and 3 of Part
II of the Restricted Stock Plan, except in the event of death or
disability as described therein, all or any portion of an Initial
Grant or of an Annual Retainer under the Restricted Stock Plan 
which is deferred hereunder shall not vest and shall be forfeited
in the event the Participant shall cease to be a member of the
Board within six months following the date of such grant and
deferral, and a deferred Initial Grant only shall vest and cease
to be forfeitable one-fifth for each Year of Service (as defined
in the Restricted Stock Plan) and a deferred Annual Retainer


                             3
<PAGE>
under the Restricted Stock Plan only shall vest and cease to be
forfeitable one-half on the first November 1 following the annual
shareowner's meeting as of which such Annual Retainer is granted
and deferred and the remaining one-half of such Annual Retainer
shall vest as of the first May 1 following the end of the
calendar year in which such grant was made.  The cash portion, if
any, of an Annual Retainer shall vest, provided the Participant's
membership on the Board has not ceased, as of the earlier of one-
fifth on the date of each regularly scheduled Board meeting
following the shareowners' meeting at which such cash
compensation was awarded, or in full as of the May 1 following
the date of such annual shareowners' meeting.  Notwithstanding
any provision of this Section 3(b) to the contrary, in the event
of a Participant's death or disability as defined in the
Restricted Stock Plan, all outstanding Initial Grants and Annual
Retainers shall be deemed to be fully vested and nonforfeitable. 
Vesting of any pro rata Annual Retainer deferred shall occur in
the same manner as described in Section 2 of Part II of the
Restricted Stock Plan and vesting may be accelerated by action of
the Committee under the terms of the Restricted Stock Plan.

(c)  Except as provided in Section 12 and Section 13, in no event
shall payments under Alternatives (ii) or (iii) commence prior to
the earlier of  (i) the first day of May following the end of the
calendar year during which the Participant's service as a
director of Payless terminates; or (ii) the occurrence of a
severe financial hardship.  Upon the written request of the
Participant (or if applicable, the beneficiary or distributee)
the payment schedule elected by the Participant under
Alternatives (ii) or (iii) above may be revised by the Board, in
its absolute discretion, in the event that the Participant (or if
applicable, the beneficiary or distributee) incurs a severe
financial hardship.  Such severe financial hardship must have
been caused by an accident, illness or other event which was
beyond the control of the Participant (or, if applicable, the
beneficiary or distributee); and the Board may revise the payment
schedule that the Participant had previously established only to
the extent that the Board considers necessary to eliminate or
lessen the severe financial hardship.

(d)  In the case of a Participant who elects to have all or any
part of his Initial Grant and/or Annual Retainer, as applicable, 
paid under Alternative (iii), Stock Units shall be allocated to
such Participant by crediting the same to his Stock Unit Account,
and the number of Stock Units to be so credited with respect to
such Initial Grant and/or Annual Retainer shall be the sum of the
following:

     (i)  the quotient, disregarding fractions, resulting from
          dividing the dollar amount of such portion of the
          Participant's Initial Grant or Annual Retainer
          compensation, as applicable, as is to be so applied to
          Alternative (iii) by the average of the high and low
          trading prices of the Stock on the New York Stock
          Exchange as of the date of Payless' annual shareowners'
          meeting (or, it applicable, the date the Participant


                             4
<PAGE>
          first joins the Board) or, if the New York Stock
          Exchange is not open on such date, the first preceding
          day it was open; plus

    (ii)  the quotient, disregarding fractions, resulting from
          dividing the aggregate dollar amount of cash dividends
          which would have been paid to the Participant during
          the "Year" had the Stock Units standing in his Stock
          Unit Account from time to time during the Year been
          shares of Stock by the average of the high and low
          trading prices of the Stock on the New York Stock
          Exchange as of the date of Payless' annual shareowners'
          meeting (or, if applicable, the date the Participant
          first joins the Board) or, if the New York Stock
          Exchange is not open on such date, the first preceding
          day it was open (for purposes of these subparagraphs
          (ii) and (iii), the "Year" is the twelve month period
          preceding each annual shareowners' meeting); plus

   (iii)  the number of shares of Stock, disregarding
          fractions, which would have been received by the
          Participant as stock dividends during the Year had
          the Stock Units standing in his Stock Unit Account
          at the date or dates of payment of such stock
          dividend(s) been shares of Stock.

Any allocation of Stock Units to a Participant's Stock Unit
Account required to be made pursuant to this paragraph (d) shall
be made as of the date of Payless' annual shareowners' meeting
(or, if applicable, the date the Participant first joins the
Board) as of which such Stock Units were determined.  The
aggregate value of the fraction or fractions remaining after
making the applicable calculations referred to in subparagraphs
(d)(i), (d)(ii) and (d)(iii) of this Section 3 shall be converted
into Stock Units, to be accumulated in the Participant's Stock
Unit Account until paid or distributed.

(e)  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3(d) to the
contrary, in the event of a recapitalization of Payless pursuant
to which the outstanding shares of Stock shall be changed into a
greater or smaller number of shares (including, without
limitation, a stock split or a stock dividend of 25% or more of
the number of outstanding shares of Stock), the number of Stock
Units credited to a Participant's Stock Unit Account shall be
appropriately adjusted as of the effective date of such
recapitalization.

(f)  Interest to be paid under Alternative (ii) shall be credited
annually as of the first day of May next following the date of
Payless' annual shareowners' meeting each year and shall be at a
rate  equal to the average yield on long-term United States
Government Bonds (as determined by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve Board and published in the Federal Reserve
Bulletin) for the calendar year prior to said May 1, compounded
annually, provided, however, that if the method of calculation of
such average yield shall be changed, or if the determination
and/or the publication thereof be discontinued, then the Board

                             5
<PAGE>
shall substitute therefor such alternative method of determining
such interest rate as it, in its discretion, shall deem
appropriate.

Section 4.  Limitation of Stock Units.
In no event shall the aggregate number of Stock Units allocated
under this Plan, when added to the total number of shares of
Restricted Stock granted under the Restricted Stock Plan, exceed
300,000 shares of Stock, as adjusted hereunder or under the
Restricted Stock Plan.

Section 5.  Distribution from the Stock Unit Account. 
(a)  Distribution from a Participant's Stock Unit Account shall
be made in accordance with elections made by the Participant and
the determinations made by the Board, as provided in this Plan.
Stock Units shall be adjusted from time to time in accordance
with this Plan until all distributions to which a Participant is
entitled hereunder shall have been made.

(b)  If the Participant has determined that a distribution is to
be made in a lump sum in Stock, the number of shares of Stock to
be so distributed to such Participant shall equal the number of
Stock Units then in his Stock Unit Account. For the purpose of
determining the number of shares of Stock to be distributed on a
particular annual installment distribution date, the Board shall
make its calculations as if that annual installment and all
subsequent annual installments were in fact to be made in shares
of Stock, as follows: the number of shares of Stock which would
be then so distributable, except in the case of the last
distribution, shall be equal to the product, disregarding
fractions, of the total number of Stock Units then credited to
the Participant's Stock Unit Account, multiplied by a fraction,
the numerator of which shall be one and the denominator of which
shall be the number of remaining installments; and in the case of
the last distribution, shall be the number of shares of Stock
equal to the Stock Units then remaining in the Participant's
Stock Unit Account. The Participant's Stock Unit Account shall be
decreased by one Stock Unit for each share of Stock distributed
to a Participant.  Any fractional Stock Unit shall not be
distributed in Stock, but shall be distributed in cash based on
the average of the high and low trading prices of the Stock on
the New York Stock Exchange as of the date of distribution or, if
the New York Stock Exchange is not open on such date, the first
preceding day it was open.

 Section 6.  Death of Participant.
In the event of the death of a Participant prior to complete
distribution under Alternatives (ii) and/or (iii) hereof, all
cash and/or Stock Units then remaining undistributed, or which
shall thereafter become distributable to the Participant pursuant
to such Alternatives, shall be distributed to such beneficiary as
the Participant shall have designated in writing delivered to the
Board, or, in the absence of such designation, shall be
distributable to the Participant's personal representative. Such
distribution shall be made at such date or dates, either in a
lump sum or in annual installments as elected by the Participant
prior to the beginning of the calendar year for which such

                             6
<PAGE>
Alternative was elected, as determined by the Board and provided
further that in the event of a severe financial hardship, the
Board may revise its determination in accordance with Section
3(c).

Section 7.  Participant's Right Unsecured; Investments. 
The right of a Participant to receive any distribution hereunder
shall be an unsecured claim against the general assets of
Payless. Nothing in this Agreement shall require Payless to
invest any amount, the payment of which has been deferred under
Alternative (ii) or (iii), in Stock or in any other medium.

Section 8.  Administration of the Plan. 
(a)  The Plan shall be administered by the Board.  The Plan may
be amended, modified or terminated by the Board, except that no
change may be made without the approval of the Common Shareowners
of Payless  in  (i) the maximum number of shares or Stock Units
deliverable or allocable in respect of any Fiscal Year under the
plan or (ii)  the provisions of subparagraphs (d)(i) and (d)(ii)
of Section 3 of this Plan relating to the method of determining
the number of Stock Units allocable to a Participant.

(b)  The Board shall prescribe such forms as it considers
appropriate for the administration of the Plan. The forms shall
set forth such terms and conditions not inconsistent with the
terms of the Plan as the Board may determine and shall designate:

     (i)  the Alternative or Alternatives elected by the
          Participant pursuant to Section 3(a);

    (ii)  the Participant's determination of the time or times
          when payment of such compensation will be made to the
          Participant pursuant to Section 3(a);

   (iii)  the beneficiary (if any) designated by the
          Participant pursuant to Section 6; and

    (iv)  the Board's determination of the time or times when
          payment of such compensation will be made after the
          Participant's death pursuant to Section 6.

(c)  The Board shall be authorized to interpret and construe the
Plan; to make, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating
to the Plan; and to make all determinations and take all actions
necessary or advisable for the Plan's administration, consistent
with the terms of the Plan.

Section 9.  Successors.
The provisions of the Plan with respect to each Participant shall
bind the legatees, heirs, executors, administrators or other
successors in interest of such Participant.

Section 10.  Alienation.
(a)  Subject to the provisions of Section 6 and paragraph (b) of
this Section 10, no amount, the payment of which has been
deferred under Alternative (ii) or (iii), shall be subject in any
manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment,
pledge, encumbrance, levy or charge, and any attempt to so
                             7
<PAGE>
anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber,
levy or charge the same shall be void; nor shall any such amount
be in any manner liable for or subject to the debts, contracts,
liabilities, engagements or torts of the person entitled to such
benefit.

(b)  Nothing in this Section 10 shall prohibit the personal
representative of a Participant from designating that any amount
be distributed in accordance with the terms of the Participant's
will or pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution.

Section 11.  Withholding. 
There shall be deducted from all amounts paid under this Plan any
taxes required to be withheld by any federal, state or local
government. The Participants and their beneficiaries,
distributees and personal representatives will bear any and all
federal, foreign, state, local or other income or other taxes
imposed on amounts paid under this Plan as to which no amounts
are withheld, irrespective of whether withholding is required.

Section 12.  Discretionary Payment.
(a)  Notwithstanding any other provision in any other Section of
the Plan to be contrary, the Board may, in its sole and absolute
discretion, direct an immediate payment of cash and/or
distribution of Stock with respect to amounts (except those
referred to in the next proviso) previously deferred under this
Plan if the Board determines that such action is in the best
interests of Payless, the Participants and their beneficiaries.

(b)  In the event that the Board shall so direct an immediate
payment, distribution and/or release in accordance with Section
12(a), then

    (i)   the amounts of cash and the numbers of shares of Stock
          to be so paid and/or distributed shall be determined by
          the Board so as to reflect fairly and equitably
          appropriate interest and dividends since the preceding
          May 1 and so as to reflect fairly and equitably such
          other facts and circumstances as the Board deems
          appropriate, including, without limitation, recent
          price of the Stock;

    (ii)  amounts which were otherwise deferred or to be deferred
          with respect to the Fiscal Year or long-term period in
          which such payment or distribution occurs shall be paid
          when otherwise payable (such amounts which would
          otherwise have been payable prior to the date of such
          payment or distribution shall be paid as soon as
          practicable thereafter);

   (iii)  in the event that cash is not paid or made
          available to a Participant when otherwise due or
          that shares of Stock are not distributed or
          otherwise made available to a Participant when
          otherwise due, then such Participant may file a
          claim for such payment or distribution and, if
          such Participant is successful, then Payless shall

                             8
<PAGE>
          reimburse such Participant for reasonable
          attorneys' fees actually paid by the Participant
          in enforcing such Participant's rights to such
          payment or distribution; and

    (iv)  in the event that cash is not paid or made available to
          a Participant when otherwise due, then interest will
          accrue with respect to such unpaid amount from the date
          it was otherwise due until the date it is actually paid
          at a rate equal to two percentage points over the prime
          rate as in effect from time to time, as determined in
          good faith the Board based on the prime rate charged
          from time to time by major banks in the City of New
          York.
 
Section 13.  Change in Control. 
Notwithstanding any other provision in any other Section of this
Plan to the contrary, (i) the value of all amounts deferred by a
Participant which have not yet been credited to the Participant's
accounts under this Plan and (ii) the value of all of a
Participant's accounts under this Plan, shall be paid to such
Participant in each case in a lump sum cash payment on the
occurrence of a Change in Control of Payless or as soon
thereafter as practicable, but in no event later than five days
after the Change in Control of Payless. The amounts of cash
credited to each Participant's accounts prior to determining the
amount of cash to be paid from these accounts shall be determined
by the Board so as to reflect fairly and equitably appropriate
interest and any dividends since the preceding allocation date 
and so as to reflect fairly and equitably such other facts and
circumstances as the Board deems appropriate, including, without
limitation, recent price of the stock. For purposes of payments
under this Section 13, the value of a Stock Unit shall be
computed as the greater of (a) the closing price of shares of
Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on or nearest
the date on which the Change in Control is deemed to occur (or,
if not listed on such exchange, on a nationally recognized
exchange or quotation system on which trading volume in the Stock
is highest) or (b) the highest per share price for shares of
Stock actually paid in connection with any Change in Control.

For purposes of this Plan, a "Change in Control of Payless" shall
be deemed to have occurred if

(a)  any "person" as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act") (other than Payless, any trustee or other fiduciary holding
securities under an employee benefit plan of Payless, or any
company owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareowners of
Payless in substantially the same proportions as their ownership
of stock of Payless), is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or
indirectly of securities of Payless representing 50% or more of
the combined voting power of Payless' then outstanding
securities;



                             9
<PAGE>
(b)  during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who
at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new
director (other than a director designated by a person who has
entered into an agreement with Payless to effect a transaction
described in clause (a), (c)  or (d) of this Section) whose
election by the Board or nomination for election by Payless'
shareowners was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3)
of the directors then still in office who either were directors
at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination
for election was previously so approved cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority thereof;

(c)  the shareowners of Payless approve a merger or consolidation
of Payless with any other corporation, other than (1) a merger or
consolidation which would result in the voting securities of
Payless outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to
represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted
into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of
the combined voting power of the voting securities of Payless or
such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger
or consolidation or (2) a merger or consolidation effected to
implement a recapitalization of Payless (or similar transaction)
in which no "person" (as hereinabove defined) acquires more than
50% of the combined voting power of Payless' then outstanding
securities; or

(d)  the shareowners of Payless approve a plan of complete
liquidation of Payless or an agreement for the sale or
disposition by Payless of all or substantially all of Payless'
assets.




























                             10
<PAGE>


<PAGE>
                                                        Exhibit 10.17
                    PAYLESS  SHOESOURCE,  INC.
              EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
                   FOR BUSINESS UNIT MANAGEMENT


     This document constitutes and sets forth the terms of the
Payless ShoeSource, Inc. Executive Incentive Compensation Plan for
Business Unit Management.

     Section 1.  Purposes of the Plan.   The purposes of the Plan
are (i) to provide a means to attract, retain and motivate talented
personnel and (ii) to provide to participating management employees
added incentive for high levels of performance and for additional
effort to improve the financial performance of the Company and of
their business units.

     Section 2.  Definitions.   Whenever used herein, the following
terms shall have the following meanings:

          (a) "Annual Award" means, for a Participant for a Fiscal
     Year, the product of the Participant's Minimum Annual
     Compensation for such Fiscal Year multiplied by the aggregate
     of:
               (i) the Participant's Annual Earnings Factor for
               such Fiscal Year, plus

               (ii) the Participant's Annual RONA Factor for such
          Fiscal Year.

          (b) "Annual Earnings Factor" means, for a Participant for
     a Fiscal Year (i) five percent, if actual Earnings Growth for
     such Fiscal Year equals or exceeds the Participant's Threshold
     Annual Earnings Growth Objective for such Fiscal Year, plus
     (ii) ten percent multiplied by a fraction (not less than zero
     and not greater than one), the numerator of which is the
     actual Earnings Growth for such Fiscal Year less the
     Participant's Threshold Annual Earnings Growth Objective for
     such Fiscal Year and the denominator of which is the
     Participant's Maximum Annual Earnings Growth Objective for
     such Fiscal Year less the Participant's Threshold Annual
     Earnings Growth Objective for such Fiscal Year; provided,
     however, that the percentages referred to in this Section 2(b)
     may be adjusted by the Committee as provided in Section 4(b).

          (c) "Annual RONA Factor" means, for a Participant for a
     Fiscal Year (i) five percent if actual RONA for such Fiscal
     Year equals or exceeds the Participant's Threshold Annual RONA
     Objective for such Fiscal Year, plus (ii) ten percent
     multiplied by a fraction (not less than zero and not greater
     than one), the numerator of which is the actual RONA for such
     Fiscal Year less the Participant's Threshold Annual RONA
     Objective for such Fiscal Year and the denominator of which is
     the Participant's Maximum Annual RONA Objective for such
     Fiscal Year less the Participant's Threshold Annual RONA
     Objective for such Fiscal Year; provided, however,  that the
     percentages referred to in this Section 2(c) may be adjusted
     by the Committee as provided in Section 4(b).

<PAGE>
          (d) "Average Annual Compensation" means, for a Long-Term
     Performance Period, the Participant's average annual salary
     rate during such period, determined on a monthly basis, or
     such lesser amount as the Participant and the Company shall
     agree to, in writing.

          (e) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

          (f) "Committee" means the Compensation and Nominating
     Committee of the Board; provided, however, the Compensation
     and Nominating Committee of the Board may delegate its powers
     under Sections 2(i), 2(p), 2(t), 2(w), 3, 6, 7 and 10 (but not
     under Section 14) to a management committee ("Management
     Committee") comprised of the Chief Executive Officer, the
     President and such other management personnel as the Chief
     Executive Officer and the President may designate from time to
     time, none of whom shall be eligible to participate in the
     Plan, in which case the term "Committee" with respect to such
     Sections shall be deemed to refer to the Management Committee.

          (g) "Company" means Payless ShoeSource, Inc.

          (h) "Disability" means the inability of a Participant to
     perform the normal duties of the Participant's regular
     occupation.

          (i) "Earnings Growth" means, for a division or Subsidiary,
     (i) for a Fiscal Year, the annual growth rate in Earnings for
     such division or Subsidiary for such Fiscal Year, measured
     from the immediately preceding Fiscal Year; and (ii) for a
     Long-Term Performance Period, the compound annual growth rate
     in Earnings for such division or Subsidiary for such Fiscal
     Year, measured from the Fiscal Year immediately preceding the
     Long-Term Performance Period to the last Fiscal Year in the
     Long-Term Performance Period.  For purposes of this Section
     2(i), Earnings of a division or Subsidiary for a Fiscal Year
     means the earnings of such division or Subsidiary for such
     Fiscal Year as reported in the Company's internal report(s)
     (or, in the event that such item is not included in such
     internal report(s) or that such internal report(s) is (are)
     changed to delete or modify such item, then such comparable
     figure as may be determined by the Committee) adjusted by the
     Company's independent certified public accountants to exclude
     such non-recurring or extraordinary items as the Committee
     shall determine are not representative of the on-going
     operations of the division or Subsidiary.

          (j) "Fiscal Year" means the fiscal year of the Company.

          (k) "Long-Term Award" means, for a Participant for a Long-
     Term Performance Period, the product of the Participant's
     Average Annual Compensation for such period multiplied by the
     aggregate of:

               (i)  the Participant's Long-Term Earnings Factor
                    for such period, plus


                             2
<PAGE>
               (ii) the Participant's Long-Term RONA Factor for
                    such period 

     as such product is adjusted in accordance with Section 5(b) of
     the Plan.

          (l) "Long-Term Earnings Factor" means, for a Participant
     for a Long-Term Performance Period, (i) five percent if actual
     Earnings Growth for such period equals or exceeds the
     Participant's Threshold Long-Term Earnings Growth Objective
     for such period, plus (ii) ten percent multiplied by a
     fraction (not less than zero and not greater than one) the
     numerator of which is the actual Earnings Growth for such
     period less the Participant's Threshold Long-Term Earnings
     Growth Objective for such period and the denominator of which
     is the Participant's Maximum Long-Term Earnings Growth
     Objective for such period less the Participant's Threshold
     Long-Term Earnings Growth Objective for such period.

          (m) "Long-Term Performance Period" means three consecutive
     Fiscal Years; provided, however, that the first Long-Term
     Performance Period under the Plan shall be Fiscal Year 1998
     and the second Long-Term Performance Period under the Plan
     shall be Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999.

          (n) "Long-Term RONA Factor" means, for a Participant for
     a Long-Term Performance Period (i) five percent if actual RONA
     for such period equals or exceeds the Participant's Threshold
     Long-Term RONA Objective for such period plus (ii) ten percent
     multiplied by a fraction (not less than zero and not greater
     than one), the numerator of which is the actual RONA for such
     period less the Participant's Threshold Long-Term RONA
     Objective for such period and the denominator of which is the
     Participant's Maximum Long-Term RONA Objective for such period
     less the Participant's Threshold Long-Term RONA Objective for
     such period.
     
          (o) "Market Value" means the average closing price of the
     Stock on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. during the month of
     February of the year specified.

          (p) "Minimum Annual Compensation" means, for a Fiscal
     Year, (i) the Participant's minimum annual salary rate as of
     November 1 of such Fiscal Year or (ii) if a Participant is
     designated as such as of a date after November 1 in such
     Fiscal Year, the Participant's minimum annual salary rate as
     of such date; provided that if the Committee determines that
     such compensation rate does not adequately reflect such
     Participant's minimum annual salary rate for such Fiscal Year
     or if the Fiscal Year does not contain a November 1 (as in a
     short year), then the term shall mean the salary rate
     determined by the Committee in its absolute discretion;
     provided further, that upon the written agreement of the
     Participant and the Company, the term shall mean such lesser
     amount as is agreed to by the parties.  



                             3
<PAGE>
          (q) "Participant" means an individual who has been
     designated to participate in the Plan in accordance with
     Section 3 of the Plan.

          (r) "Plan" mean the Payless ShoeSource, Inc. Executive
     Incentive Compensation Plan for Business Unit Management.
     
          (s) "Retirement" means, as to a Participant, retirement
     as that word is defined in the Company's Profit Sharing Plan
     (or comparable plan of a Subsidiary applicable to a
     Participant).

          (t) "RONA" means, for a division or Subsidiary, (i) for
     a Fiscal Year, the return on beginning net assets of such
     division or Subsidiary for such Fiscal Year as reported in the
     Company's internal report(s) (or, in the event that such item
     is not included in such report(s) or that such report(s) is
     (are) changed to delete or modify such item, then such
     comparable figure as may be determined by the Committee)
     adjusted by the Company's independent certified public
     accountants to exclude such non-recurring or extraordinary
     items as the Committee shall determine are not representative
     of the ongoing operations of the division or Subsidiary; and
     (ii) for a Long-Term Performance Period, the sum of the return
     on beginning net assets of such division or Subsidiary for
     each Fiscal Year in the Long-Term Performance Period divided
     by three.

          (u) "Stock" means the common stock of the Company.

          (v) "Subsidiary" means a subsidiary corporation of the
     Company within the meaning of Section 425(f) of the Internal
     Revenue Code.

          (w) The terms "Maximum Annual Earnings Growth Objective,"
     "Maximum Long-Term Earnings Growth Objective," "Target Annual
     Earnings Growth Objective," "Target Long-Term Earnings Growth
     Objective," "Threshold Annual Earnings Growth Objective,"
     "Threshold Long-Term Earnings Growth Objective," "Maximum
     Annual RONA Objective," "Maximum Long-Term RONA Objective,"
     "Target Annual RONA Objective," "Target Long-Term RONA
     Objective," "Threshold Annual RONA Objective" and "Threshold
     Long-Term RONA Objective" shall mean the respective objectives
     determined by the Committee for each Participant pursuant to
     Section 7 of the Plan.

     Section 3.  Eligibility.   Management employees of the Company
and its Subsidiaries who manage separate business units of the
Company shall be eligible to participate in the Plan.  The
Committee may, in its sole discretion, designate any such
individual as a Participant for a particular Fiscal Year and/or for
a particular Long-Term Performance Period before the end of such
Fiscal Year and Long-Term Performance Period, respectively. 
Designation of an individual as a Participant for any period shall
not require designation of such individual as a Participant in any
other period, and designation of one individual as a Participant
shall not require designation of any other individual as a
Participant in such period or in any other period.
                             4
<PAGE>
     Section 4.  Annual Award.   (a) Subject to the other
provisions of the Plan, a Participant for a Fiscal Year who is
designated as such for an entire Fiscal Year shall be entitled to
an Annual Award for such Fiscal Year.  Subject to the other
provisions of the Plan, a Participant for a Fiscal Year who is
designated as such for less than an entire Fiscal Year shall be
entitled to a reduced Annual Award for such Fiscal Year equal to
the Annual Award for such Fiscal Year multiplied by a fraction, the
numerator of which shall be the number of complete fiscal months
between (i) the first day of the fiscal month in which occurs the
date as of which the Participant was so designated and (ii) the end
of such Fiscal Year and the denominator of which shall be twelve.

     (b) The Committee may change the percentages referred to in
the definitions of "Annual Earnings Factor" and "Annual RONA Factor"
for any Fiscal Year, provided that the maximum Annual Award which
may be paid under such different percentage may not be greater than
45% of the Participant's Minimum Annual Compensation for such
Fiscal Year.

     Section 5.  Long-Term Award.   (a) Subject to the other
provisions of the Plan, a Participant for a Long-Term Performance
Period who is designated as such for an entire Long-Term
Performance Period shall be entitled to a Long-Term Award for such
period.  Subject to the other provisions of the Plan, a Participant
for a Long-Term Performance Period who is designated as such for
less than an entire Long-Term Performance Period shall be entitled
to a reduced Long-Term Award for such period equal to the Long-Term
Award for such period multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of
which shall be the number of complete fiscal months between (i) the
first day of the fiscal month in which occurs the date as of which
the Participant was so designated and (ii) the end of such Long-
Term Performance Period and the denominator of which shall be
thirty-six (or, if less, the number of months of duration of such
Long Term Performance Period).

     (b) The Long-Term Award otherwise payable pursuant to Section
5(a) of the Plan for a Long-Term Performance Period shall be
adjusted by multiplying such Long-Term Award by a percentage equal
to a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Market Value of
the Stock in February of the calendar year in which such Long-Term
Performance Period ends and the denominator of which shall be the
Market Value of the Stock in February of the calendar year in which
such Long-Term Performance Period begins; provided, however, that
such percentage shall in no event be greater than one hundred fifty
percent nor less than seventy-five percent.  

     Section 6.  Discretionary Adjustment of Awards.  In the event
that the Committee determines, in its absolute discretion, that an
Annual Award or a Long-Term Award payable to a Participant in
accordance with the other terms of the Plan should be adjusted,
upwards or downwards, based on all the facts and circumstances
known to the Committee at the time, then, at any time prior to the
closing of the Company's books for a Fiscal Year, the Committee
may, in its sole and absolute discretion, increase or decrease any
such Annual Award (for such Fiscal Year) or Long-Term Award (for
the Long-Term Performance Period ending with such Fiscal Year) to
such amount as it determines.
                             5
<PAGE>
    Section 7.  Annual and Long-Term Targets.   Threshold, target
and maximum annual and long-term objectives with respect to
Earnings Growth and with respect to RONA shall be determined by the
Committee as soon as practicable after the commencement of each
Fiscal Year and each Long-Term Performance Period for each
Participant.  The Committee shall cause the respective objectives
for each Participant to be provided to such Participant as soon
thereafter as practicable.  Such objectives shall remain in effect
for the entire Fiscal Year or Long-Term Performance Period, as
appropriate, unless the Committee determines, in its absolute
discretion, that such objectives should be modified.

    Section 8.  Payment of Awards.   (a) Annual Awards for a Fiscal
Year shall be payable in cash within three months after the close
of such Fiscal Year or as soon thereafter as practicable.

    (b) Long-Term Awards for a Long-Term Performance Period shall
be payable in cash within three months after the close of such
Long-Term Performance Period or as soon thereafter as practicable.

    (c) A Participant may elect to defer all or a portion of an
award under the Deferred Compensation Plan.

    (d) The Company shall have the right to deduct any sums that
federal, state or local tax laws require to be withheld with
respect to any payment of awards.

    Section 9.  Termination of Employment.   

    (a) Death or Disability.  In the event of either the death or
Disability of the Participant while employed (a "Section 9(a)
Event"), the Participant shall be entitled to the following:

       (i) An Annual Award with respect to the Fiscal Year in
       which the Section 9(a) Event occurs equal to the Annual
       Award otherwise payable (if any) for that Fiscal Year,
       prorated to the end of the fiscal month in which such
       Section 9(a) Event occurs; and

       (ii) A Long-Term Award with respect to each Long-Term
       Performance Period which includes the Fiscal Year of the
       Section 9(a) Event; provided, however, that for purposes of
       this Section 9(a)(ii), the Long-Term Award for any Long-
       Term Performance Period (1) shall be determined at the end
       of the Fiscal Year in which the Section 9(a) Event occurs,
       (2) shall be determined (and averages used in that
       determination shall be calculated) based only on the Fiscal
       Year and any preceding Fiscal Years otherwise included in
       the Long-Term Performance Period and (3) shall be prorated
       to the end of the fiscal month in which the Section 9(a)
       Event occurs.

    (b) Retirement.

       (i) In the event of the Retirement of the Participant with
       the written consent of the Company, such event shall be
       deemed to be a Section 9(a) Event, and the Participant

                             6
<PAGE>
       shall be entitled to an Annual Award and to a Long-Term
       Award as provided in Section 9(a).

       (ii) In the event of the Retirement of the Participant
       without the consent of the Company (a "Section 9(b)(ii)
       Event"), the Participant shall be entitled to the
       following:

           (1) An Annual Award with respect to the Fiscal Year in
           which the Section 9(b)(ii) Event occurs equal to the
           Annual Award otherwise payable (if any) for the Fiscal
           Year, prorated to the end of the fiscal month in which
           the Section 9(b)(ii) Event occurs; and

           (2) No Long-Term Award following the Section 9(b)(ii)
           Event.  The Participant shall forfeit any right or
           entitlement to any award with respect to any Long-Term
           Performance Period which has not been completed on the
           date of the Section 9(b)(ii) Event.  Any Long-Term
           Award for a period which ended prior to the Section
           9(b)(ii) Event shall remain unaffected.

    (c) Termination of Employment.

       (i) In the event of the termination of employment of the
       Participant not covered by Sections 9(a) or 9(b) above
       which occurs at the end of the term of the Participant's
       then-current written employment agreement (if any) with the
       Company or Subsidiary, or in the event of such a
       termination of a Participant who has no current written
       employment agreement with the Company or Subsidiary, such
       event shall be deemed to be a Section 9(b)(ii) Event, and
       the Participant shall be entitled to an Annual Award (but
       not to a Long-Term Award) as provided in Section 9(b)(ii).

       (ii) In the event of the termination of employment of the
       Participant not covered by Sections 9(a) or 9(b) above
       before the end of the term of the Participant's then-
       current written employment agreement (if any) with the
       Company or Subsidiary, with the written consent of the
       Company (a "Section 9(c)(ii) Event"), the Participant shall
       be entitled to the following:

           (1) An Annual Award with respect to the Fiscal Year in
           which the Section 9(c)(ii) Event occurs equal to the
           actual award otherwise payable for the Fiscal Year (if
           any); provided, however, that in the event that the
           term of the Participant's then-current employment
           agreement is due to expire during that Fiscal Year,
           then the Annual Award shall be prorated to the end of
           the fiscal month in which such term is due to expire;
           and

           (2) A Long-Term Award with respect to each Long-Term
           Performance Period which includes the Fiscal Year of
           the 9(c)(ii) Event equal to the Long-Term Award
           otherwise payable with respect to each Long-Term

                             7
<PAGE>
           Performance Period; provided, however, that in the
           event that the term of the Participant's then-current
           employment agreement (if any) with the Company is
           otherwise due to expire during any such period, then
           the Long-Term Award with respect to such period shall
           be prorated to the end of the calendar month in which
           such term is due to expire.

       (iii) In the event of the termination of employment of the
       Participant not otherwise covered by this Section 9 before
       the end of the term of the then-current written employment
       agreement (if any) with the Company or Subsidiary, without
       the written consent of the Company, the Participant shall
       not be entitled to any Annual Award or to any Long-Term
       Award with respect to any Fiscal Year or Long-Term
       Performance Period which has not been completed as of the
       date of such termination of employment.  The Participant
       shall forfeit any right or interest in any award for any
       such Fiscal Year or Long-Term Performance Period.  Annual
       Awards and Long-Term Awards with respect to Fiscal Years
       and Long-Term Performance Periods which ended prior to the
       date of such termination of employment shall remain
       unaffected.

    (d) For purposes of this Section 9, the term "written consent
of the Company" shall refer to an express written consent of the
Company, duly executed by the Company, which, by its own terms,
expressly refers to this Section 9 of the Plan.

    Section 10. Transfers and Changes in Responsibilities.

    (a) In the event that (i) a Participant's responsibilities are
changed or that a Participant is transferred from the Participant's
then-current operating division of the Company or Subsidiary to
another operating division of the Company or Subsidiary or to the
corporate operation of the Company, and (ii) the Participant
remains employed by the Company or by a Subsidiary following such
change or transfer (a "Section 10 Event") and the Participant and
the Company either agree that the Section 10 Event is of such a
character that the Participant's participation in the Plan should
cease as of the date of such Section 10 Event or fail to agree on
whether such Section 10 Event is of such a character, then any
Annual Award or Long-Term Award to which the Participant would
otherwise be entitled under the terms of the Plan shall be prorated
to the date of such event.

    (b) In the event that a Section 10 Event occurs and the
Participant and the Company agree that such change or transfer is
of such a character that the Participant's participation should not
cease as of the date of such change or transfer, then 

    (i) any Annual Award to which the Participant would be entitled
    under the terms of the Plan

       (1) with respect to the portion of the Fiscal Year before
       such event, shall be the pro rata portion of the Annual
       Award, if any, otherwise payable to such Participant based

                             8
<PAGE>
       on the Participant's objectives and on the performance of
       the division, Subsidiary or operation for which the
       Participant was employed before such event, and

       (2) with respect to the portion of the Fiscal Year after
       such event, shall be the pro rata portion of the Annual
       Award, if any, otherwise payable to such Participant based
       on the Participant's objectives and on the performance of
       the division, Subsidiary or operation for which the
       Participant was employed after such event; and 

    (ii) any Long-Term Award to which the Participant would be
    entitled under the terms of the Plan

       (1) with respect to the Long-Term Performance Period which
       ends with the Fiscal Year in which such event occurs, shall
       be based solely on the Participant's objectives and on the
       performance of the division, Subsidiary or operation for
       which the Participant was employed before such event,

       (2) with respect to the Long-Term Performance Period which
       ends with the Fiscal Year next following the Fiscal Year in
       which such event occurs, shall be prorated, with pro rata
       portions being based on the Participant's respective
       objectives and on the respective performances of the
       division, Subsidiary or operation for which the Participant
       was employed before and after such event, and

       (3) with respect to the Long-Term Performance Period which
       begins with the Fiscal Year in which such event occurs,
       shall be based solely on the Participant's objectives and
       on the performance of the division, Subsidiary or operation
       for which the Participant was employed after such event.

    In the event that more than one such Section 10 Event shall
occur in any one Fiscal Year or Long-Term Performance Period for
any Participant, the Committee shall adjust any Annual Award or
Long-Term Award in such manner as the Committee shall determine, in
its absolute discretion, to reflect the purposes and intent of the
Plan.  Moreover, the Committee has the right to adjust all awards
pursuant to Section 6, in its absolute discretion, which may be
exercised in such a manner as the Committee deems fair and
equitable, based on the performance of the Participant while
participating in any other bonus or compensation plan of the
Company.

    Section 11.  Rights of Participants and Beneficiaries.

    (a) Nothing contained in the Plan shall confer upon any
Participant any right to continue in the employ of the Company or
constitute any contract or agreement of employment or interfere in
any way with the right of the Company to terminate or change the
conditions of employment.

    (b) So long as the Participant is alive, the Company shall pay
all amounts payable hereunder only to the Participant or his or her
personal representatives.  In the event of the death of a

                             9
<PAGE>
Participant, payments of all amounts otherwise due to the
Participant under the Plan shall be made to the Participant's
beneficiary at the time of death under the Company Paid Life
Insurance Plan of Payless ShoeSource, Inc. or to such other
beneficiary as the Participant shall have designated, in writing,
for purposes of this Plan on a form provided by the Company or, in
the absence of a designation of beneficiary, to the Participant's
estate.

    (c) Subject to the provisions of Section 11(d), rights to
payments under the Plan shall not be subject in any manner to
anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge,
encumbrance, levy or charge, and any attempt to do so shall be
void;  nor shall any such amounts be in any manner liable for or
subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts
of the Participant or his or her beneficiaries.

    (d) Nothing in this Section 11 shall prohibit the personal
representatives of a Participant from designating that any amount
that would otherwise be distributed to the Participant's estate
should be distributed in accordance with the terms of the
Participant's last will and testament or pursuant to the laws of
descent and distribution.

    Section 12.  Unfunded Character of the Plan.   The right of a
Participant to receive any Annual Award or Long-Term Award
hereunder shall be an unsecured claim against the general assets of
the Company.  Nothing in the Plan shall require the Company to
invest any amounts in Stock or in any other medium.

    Section 13.  Changes in Capital Structure.   In the event that
there is any change in the Stock through merger, consolidation,
reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or otherwise, or if
there shall be any dividend on the Stock, payable in such Stock, or
if there shall be a stock split or combination of shares, then the
fraction provided for in Section 5(b) of the Plan shall be adjusted
by the Committee as it deems desirable, in its absolute discretion,
to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants. 
The issuance of Stock for consideration and the issuance of Stock
rights shall not be considered a change in the Company's capital
structure.

    Section 14.  Amendment or Termination.   The Committee may, by
resolution, amend or terminate the Plan at any time provided,
however, the Committee may not, without the consent of the
Participant, amend or terminate the Plan in such a manner as to
affect adversely any Annual Award or Long-Term Award which would
have been payable, based on the terms of the Plan immediately prior
to any such amendment or termination, for any Fiscal Year or Long-
Term Performance Period which has already commenced as of the
effective date of the amendment or termination.







                             10
<PAGE>


<PAGE>
                                                        Exhibit 10.18
        THE STOCK APPRECIATION AND PHANTOM STOCK UNIT PLAN
                                 OF
            PAYLESS SHOESOURCE, INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
                                FOR
              PAYLESS SHOESOURCE INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEES
    
    
    PART I.    GENERAL
    
              1.   Purpose.  The purpose of the Plan is to aid
    Payless ShoeSource, Inc. and its subsidiaries in attracting,
    retaining, motivating and rewarding certain management
    employees.
    
              2.   Definitions.  Whenever used herein, the
    following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
    
                   (a)  "Agreement" means the agreement between
         the Company or any International Subsidiary and a
         Participant evidencing the award of Stock Appreciation
         Units or Phantom Stock Units and containing the terms
         and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, that
         are applicable to such Units.
    
                   (b)  "Award" means an award of Units under
         the Plan.
    
                   (c)  "Board" means the Board of Directors of
         Payless ShoeSource, Inc.
    
                   (d)  "Committee" means a committee designated
         by the Board which shall consist of not less than 2
         members of the Board who shall be appointed by and
         serve at the pleasure of the Board and who shall be
         "outside" directors within the meaning of Section
         162(m) of the Code.
    
                   (e)  "Company" means Payless ShoeSource, Inc.
    
                   (f)  "Disability" means a total and permanent
         disability which enables the Participant to be eligible
         for and to receive disability benefits under (i) the
         Social Security Act of the United States of America or
         (ii) under any comparable governmental arrangements of
         a country  which are applicable to the Participant.  If
         there are no comparable governmental arrangements
         applicable to a Participant, he shall be deemed to be
         Disabled if he would be eligible for disability
         benefits under the Social Security Act of the United
         States of America if he were a citizen of that country.
    
                   (g)  "Exercise Price" means, with respect to
         a Stock Appreciation Unit, the Fair Market Value of a
         share of Stock on the date the Stock Appreciation Unit
         is granted.



<PAGE>
                   (h)  "Fair Market Value" of a share of Stock
         means the average of the high and low price of the
         Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date in
         question, or if no sales occurred on such day, on the
         last preceding day on which Stock was traded.
    
                   (i)  "International Subsidiary" means any
         Subsidiary primarily engaged in business outside of the
         United States of America.
    
                   (j)  "Participant" means an individual to
         whom an Award for Stock Appreciation Units or a Phantom
         Stock Units is made under the Plan.
    
                   (k)  "Phantom Stock Unit" means a non-
         transferrable, non-assignable right described in Part
         II of the Plan awarded by the Company or any Subsidiary
         and approved by the Committee under or pursuant to the
         Plan which provides for the payment of an amount in
         cash in accordance with such terms and conditions, not
         inconsistent with the Plan, that are applicable to such
         Unit.
    
                   (l)  "Plan" means The Stock Appreciation and
         Phantom Stock Unit Plan of Payless ShoeSource, Inc. and
         Its Subsidiaries For Payless ShoeSource International
         Employees.
    
                   (m)  "Retirement" means "retirement" as that
         word is defined in any retirement plan sponsored by an
         International Subsidiary which is applicable to the
         Participant or, if there is no such plan, as defined in
         the Company's Profit Sharing Plan.
    
                   (n)  "Subsidiary" means any company or
         unincorporated organization controlled, directly or
         indirectly, by the Company or any subsidiary thereof.
    
                   (o)  "Stock" means common stock of the
         Company.
    
                   (p)  "Stock Appreciation Unit" means a non-
         transferrable, non-assignable right described in Part
         II of the Plan awarded by the Company or any Subsidiary
         and approved by the Committee under or pursuant to the
         Plan which provides for the payment of an amount in
         cash in accordance with such terms and conditions, not
         inconsistent with the Plan, that are applicable to such
         Unit and whose Exercise Price is the Fair Market Value
         of a share of Stock on the date of the Award.
    
                   (q)  "Unit" means a Stock Appreciation Unit
         or a Phantom Stock Unit.  Each Phantom Stock Unit shall
         represent the right to receive 100% of the value of a
         share of Stock on the day the Unit vests.  Each Stock
         Appreciation Unit shall represent the right to receive


                             2
<PAGE>
         the difference, if positive, between the Fair Market
         Value of a share of stock on the date the Unit is
         exercised and the Exercise Price of the Unit.  Units
         are not shares of stock and do not entitle Participants
         to receive Stock or exercise any rights incident to
         ownership of Stock, except that the Committee may
         provide in an agreement that holders of Phantom Stock
         Units will receive dividend equivalents if any cash
         dividends are paid on its Stock by the Company.
    
              3.   Administration.  The Plan shall be
    administered by the Committee.  Subject to all the
    applicable provisions of the Plan, including, without
    limitation, Section 4 of Part I of the Plan, the Committee
    is authorized to approve Awards of Units in accordance with
    the Plan, to construe and interpret the Plan, to prescribe,
    amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to the
    Plan, and to make all determinations and take all actions
    necessary or advisable for the Plan's administration.  The
    Committee shall act by vote or written consent of a majority
    of its members.  Whenever the Plan authorizes or requires
    the Committee to take any action, make any determination or
    decision, or form any opinion, then any such action,
    determination, decision or opinion by or of the Committee
    shall be in the absolute discretion of the Committee.
    
              4.   Participants.  The individuals who are
    eligible to receive Awards for Units hereunder shall be
    limited to management employees of any Subsidiary who, on
    the date of the award of Units under the Plan, are not
    residents of the United States of America.
    
              From time to time the Committee shall in its sole
    discretion, but subject to all of the provisions of the
    Plan, determine which eligible employees will receive Awards
    of Units under the Plan and the size, terms and conditions
    of the Unit or Units to be awarded to each Participant.  In
    any year, the Committee may approve the award to any
    eligible employee of Units subject to differing terms and
    conditions.  Neither the Committee's decision to approve the
    award of a Unit to that employee in any other year or to any
    other employee in any other year, nor the Committee's
    decision with respect to the size, terms and conditions of
    the Award(s) to be made to an employee in any year, require
    the Committee to approve the award of the Unit(s) of the
    same size or with the same terms and conditions to such
    employee in any other year or to any other employee in any
    year.  The Committee shall not be precluded from approving
    the award of a Unit to any eligible employee solely because
    such employee may previously have received an Award under
    the Plan.
    
              5.   Employment.  In the absence of any specific
    agreement to the contrary, no Award of Units to a
    Participant under the Plan shall affect any right of the
    Participant's employer to terminate the Participant's
    employment at any time.

                             3
<PAGE>
    PART II.    UNITS
    
              1.   Units.  The Committee may from time to time
    in its discretion approve the award of Units to employees
    who are eligible to receive an Award in accordance with
    Section 4 of Part I of the Plan.  An Award shall be
    evidenced by an Agreement which shall contain such terms and
    conditions (which may include vesting provisions and other
    restrictions not inconsistent with the Plan as the Committee
    shall determine); provided, however, that an Award shall
    satisfy the requirements set forth in Part II of the Plan.
    
              2.   Grant.  An Award may be granted by the
    Committee and shall be effective upon the date approved by
    the Committee.
    
              3.   Exercise and Vesting.  Stock Appreciation
    Unit Awards may be exercised by the Participant only at such
    time or times, and only upon such terms and conditions, as
    shall be set forth in the Agreement relating to such Stock
    Appreciation Unit Award.  A Phantom Stock Unit Award will
    vest on the date or dates as are set forth in the Agreement
    respecting such Phantom Stock Unit Award.
    
              4.   Amount of Payment.  Upon the exercise of a
    Stock Appreciation Unit Award, a Participant shall be
    entitled to receive the excess of the Fair Market Value of a
    share of Stock over the Exercise Price of a Unit with
    respect to each Unit exercised.  Upon vesting of a Phantom
    Stock Unit, a participant shall be entitled to receive an
    amount for such Unit equal to the Fair Market Value of a
    share of Stock on the date the Unit vests.
    
              5.   Form of Payment.  Any amount which becomes
    payable upon exercise or vesting of an Award under the Plan
    shall be paid entirely in cash.  The Committee may determine
    that amounts shall be payable in United States dollars or in
    local currency, converted on such basis and at such
    conversion rate as the Committee shall deem reasonable.
    
              6.   Termination.
    
                   (a)  General.  A Stock Appreciation Unit
         Award shall terminate as of the earlier of (i) the date
         of exercise of Award, to the extent that it is
         exercised, or (ii) the expiration date specified in the
         Agreement with respect to such Award.  If an
         unexercised Stock Appreciation Unit Award is otherwise
         exercisable on the date that it expires, and if the
         Fair Market Value of Stock with respect to which it was
         granted, determined as of the date of such expiration,
         exceeds the Exercise Price of the Units (under such
         Award as set forth in the Stock Appreciation Unit
         Agreement), then the Award shall automatically be
         deemed to have been exercised as of the date of such
         expiration.
    

                             4
<PAGE>
                   (b)  Termination of Employment.  If a
         Participant ceases to be an employee of the Company or
         of a Subsidiary, for any reason other than such
         Participant's Disability, Retirement or Death, then any
         Award not theretofore exercised or vested, as
         applicable, shall immediately be terminated and may not
         thereafter be exercised, and no payment shall be made
         hereunder pursuant to such Award.  Each Agreement shall
         provide that the Committee may terminate any Award
         prior to the date on which the Unit is exercised or
         vested, as applicable, if the Participant engages
         during the life of the Award in employment or
         activities contrary, in the opinion of the Committee,
         to the best interests of the Company or of any
         Subsidiary.
    
                   (c)  Disability.  If a Participant ceases to
         be an employee of the Company or of a Subsidiary by
         reason of such Participant's Disability, then the
         Participant's rights under the Award after the date of
         such Disability shall be determined by the provisions
         of the Agreement applicable to such Award.
    
                   (d)  Death.  If a Participant ceases to be an
         employee of the Company or of a Subsidiary by reason of
         the Participant's death, the participant's rights under
         the Award shall be determined by the provisions of the
         Agreement applicable to such Award.
    
                   (e)  Retirement.  If a Participant ceases to
         be an employee of the Company or of a Subsidiary by
         reason of the Participant's Retirement, any unvested
         Phantom Stock Units shall expire.  The right to
         exercise all or any portion of any  Award of Stock
         Appreciation Units shall be determined by the
         provisions of the Agreement applicable to such Award.
    
              7.   Non-Assignability.  An Award shall not be
    transferable (other than by will or the laws of descent and
    distribution) and, during the Participant's lifetime, shall
    be exercisable by, and payable to, only the Participant.
    
              8.   Restrictions.  Awards shall be subject to the
    condition that if at any time the Company shall determine in
    its discretion that the registration of the Plan with any
    regulatory authority, the satisfaction of withholding tax or
    other withholding liabilities under the law of any
    applicable jurisdiction or the consent or approval of any
    regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a condition of,
    or in connection with, the  exercise or vesting of such
    Award, then, in any such event, such exercise or vesting
    shall not be effective unless such registrations
    withholding, consent or approval shall have been effected or
    obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the
    Company.



                             5
<PAGE>
              9.   Repricing Prohibited.  There shall be no
    grant of a Stock Appreciation Unit in exchange for a
    Participant's agreement to cancellation of a Stock
    Appreciation Unit with a higher Exercise Price that was
    previously granted to such Participant.
    
    PART III.    CANCELLATION AND RESCISSION
    
              1.   Competition; Confidential Information.
    
                   (a)  Unless a Stock Appreciation Right
         Agreement (any such agreement being referred to herein
         as an "Agreement") specifies otherwise, the Committee
         may
    
                   (1)  cancel at any time any unexercised Stock
                        Appreciation Unit; or
    
                   (2)  rescind any exercise of a Stock
                        Appreciation Unit
    
              if the Participant is not in compliance with all
              other applicable provisions of the Agreement or
              the Plan or if, prior to any such exercise or
              within six months after such exercise, the
              Participant
    
                   (i)  engages in a Competing Business, as such
                   term is defined in the Agreement; or
    
                   (ii)  solicits for employment, hires or
                   offers employment to, or discloses
                   information to or otherwise aids or assists
                   any other person or entity other than the
                   Company in soliciting for employment, hiring
                   or offering employment to, any employee of
                   the Company; or
    
                   (iii)  takes any action which is intended to
                   harm the Company or its reputation, which the
                   Company reasonably concludes could harm the
                   Company or its reputation or which the
                   Company reasonably concludes could lead to
                   unwanted or unfavorable publicity to the
                   Company; or
    
                   (iv)  discloses to anyone outside the
                   Company, or uses in other than the Company's
                   business, any "confidential information," as
                   such term is defined in the Agreement.
    
                   (b)  Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation
         Unit, the Participant shall certify on a form
         acceptable to the Committee that the Participant is in
         compliance with the terms and conditions of the
         Agreement and the Plan.
    

                             6
<PAGE>
                   (c)  The Company shall immediately notify the
         Participant in writing of any cancellation of any
         unexercised Stock Appreciation Unit.  Following receipt
         of such notice, the Participant shall have no further
         rights with respect to such Stock Appreciation Unit.
    
                   (d)  The Company shall notify the Participant
         in writing of any rescission of an exercise of a Stock
         Appreciation Unit within one year after the activity
         referred to in Part III, Section 1(a).  Within ten days
         after receiving such a notice from the Company, the
         Participant shall pay to the Company the excess of the
         Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of exercise
         of a Stock Appreciation Unit over the Exercise Price
         for the Unit.
    
              2.   Agreement by Participant Regarding Deduction. 
    The Participant shall agree and consent to a deduction from
    any amounts the Company or a Subsidiary owes to the
    Participant from time to time (including amounts owed as
    wages or other compensation, fringe benefits, or vacation
    pay, as well as any other amounts owed to the Participant by
    the Company or a subsidiary), to the extent of the amounts
    the Participant owes the Company under this Part III. 
    Whether or not the Company elects to make any set-off in
    whole or in part, if the Company does not recover by means
    of set-off the full amount owed by the Participant,
    calculated as set forth in this Part III, then the
    Participant agrees to pay immediately the unpaid balance to
    the Company.
    
    PART IV.    MISCELLANEOUS
    
              1.   Effective Date.  The Plan shall become
    effective on May 14, 1997.
    
              2.   Duration of Plan.  The Plan shall remain in
    effect until it is terminated by the Company.
    
              3.   Withholding.  The Company or any Subsidiary
    shall have the right to deduct from the amount of any
    payment arising from the exercise or vesting of an Award any
    taxes required by applicable law to be withheld from such
    amount.
    
              4.   Unfunded Plan.  The Plan shall be unfunded. 
    Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary nor the Committee
    shall be required to segregate any assets that may at any
    time be represented by Awards under the Plan.  Neither the
    Company nor the Committee shall be deemed to be a trustee of
    any amounts to be paid under the Plan. Any liability of the
    Company to any Participant with respect to an Award shall be
    based solely upon any contractual obligations created by the
    Plan or an Agreement, and no such obligation shall be deemed
    to be secured by any pledge or any encumbrance on any
    property of the Company or of any Subsidiary.


                             7
<PAGE>
              5.   Changes in Capital Structure.  In the event
    that there is any change in the capital structure of the
    Company, through merger, consolidation, reorganization,
    recapitalization, spinoff or otherwise, or if there shall be
    any dividend on the Stock, payable in such Stock, or if
    there shall be a stock split or combination of shares, the
    number and/or the Exercise Price of the Units shall be
    proportionately adjusted by the Board as it deems equitable,
    in its absolute discretion, to prevent dilution or
    enlargement of the Participant's Award.  The issuance of
    Stock for consideration and the issuance of Stock rights
    shall not be considered a change in the Company's capital
    structure. No adjustment provided for in this section will
    result in fractional Units.
    
              6.   Amendment or Termination.  The Board may, by
    resolution, amend or terminate the Plan at any time;
    provided, however, that the Board may not, without the
    consent of the holder of the Unit, alter or impair any Award
    previously granted under the Plan except as authorized
    herein.  
    
    Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may, by resolution,
    amend the Plan in any way that it deems necessary or
    appropriate in order to make income with respect to the Plan
    deductible for United States Federal income tax purposes or
    for purposes of comparable income tax laws of another
    country and any such amendment shall be effective as of such
    date as is necessary to make such income under the Plan so
    deductible.
    
              7.   Change of Control.  If while unexercised
    Awards remain outstanding under the Plan:
    
                   (a)  any "person," as such term is used in
         Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
         of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (other than
         the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding
         securities under an employee benefit plan of the
         Company, or any company owned, directly or indirectly,
         by the shareowners of the Company in substantially the
         same proportions as their ownership of stock of the
         Company), is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as
         defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly
         or indirectly, of securities of the Company
         representing 50% or more of the combined voting power
         of the Company's then outstanding securities;
    
                   (b)  during any period of two consecutive
         years, individuals who at the beginning of such period
         constitute the Board, and any new director (other than
         a director designated by a person who has entered into
         an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction
         described in clause (a), (c) or (d) of this Section)
         whose election by the Board or nomination for election
         by the Company's shareowners was approved by a vote of
         at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still

                             8
<PAGE>
         in office who either were directors at the beginning of
         the period or whose election or nomination for election
         was previously so approved, cease for any reason to
         constitute at least a majority thereof;
    
                   (c)  the shareowners of the Company approve a
         merger or consolidation of the Company with any other
         Company, other than (1) a merger or consolidation which
         would result in the voting securities of the Company
         outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to
         represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being
         converted into voting securities of the surviving
         entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of
         the voting securities of the Company or such surviving
         entity outstanding immediately after such merger or
         consolidation or (2) a merger or consolidation effected
         to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or
         similar transaction) in which no "person" (as
         hereinabove defined) acquires more than 50% of the
         combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding
         securities; or
    
                   (d)  the shareowners of the Company approve a
         plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an
         agreement for the sale of disposition by the Company of
         all or substantially all of the Company's assets,
    
    then from and after the date of the first of the foregoing
    events to occur, all outstanding Stock Appreciation Unit
    Awards held by active employees on such date shall be
    exercisable in full, whether or not otherwise exercisable,
    and all outstanding Phantom Stock Unit Awards held by active
    employees on such date shall vest in full, and shall be
    deemed fully payable.
    
    






















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