<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 October 28, 2000 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-03-2001
<PERIOD-END> OCT-28-2000
<CASH> 8,232
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 59,844
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 584,902
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 665,791
<PP&E> 730,148
<DEPRECIATION> 227,597
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,180,987
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 517,735
<BONDS> 1,887
0
0
<COMMON> 744
<OTHER-SE> 607,208
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,180,987
<SALES> 3,349,832
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 3,426,067
<CGS> 3,058,070
<TOTAL-COSTS> 3,058,070
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 247,267
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> (3,993)
<INCOME-PRETAX> 124,723
<INCOME-TAX> 48,018
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 76,705
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 76,705
<EPS-BASIC> 1.05
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.03
</TABLE>