<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BJ'S
WHOLESALE CLUB, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEETS FILED WITH THE FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED APRIL 29, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-03-2001
<PERIOD-END> APR-29-2000
<CASH> 52,578
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 42,243
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 462,258
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 576,867
<PP&E> 696,006
<DEPRECIATION> 216,537
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,067,985
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 418,947
<BONDS> 1,997
0
0
<COMMON> 744
<OTHER-SE> 597,254
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,067,985
<SALES> 1,021,073
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,045,686
<CGS> 937,910
<TOTAL-COSTS> 937,910
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 79,687
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> (1,332)
<INCOME-PRETAX> 29,421
<INCOME-TAX> 11,327
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 18,094
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 18,094
<EPS-BASIC> 0.25
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.24
</TABLE>