<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 July 29, 2000 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-03-2001
<PERIOD-END> JUL-29-2000
<CASH> 41,972
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 50,799
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 473,207
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 586,435
<PP&E> 718,768
<DEPRECIATION> 229,554
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,087,935
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 446,396
<BONDS> 1,942
0
0
<COMMON> 744
<OTHER-SE> 586,733
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,087,935
<SALES> 2,198,326
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,247,914
<CGS> 2,008,872
<TOTAL-COSTS> 2,008,872
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 161,572
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> (2,716)
<INCOME-PRETAX> 80,186
<INCOME-TAX> 30,872
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 49,314
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 49,314
<EPS-BASIC> 0.67
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.66
</TABLE>