<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY
FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE STAGE
STORES, INC. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> Jan-29-2000
<PERIOD-END> Jan-29-2000
<CASH> 20,179
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 261,104
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 357,074
<PP&E> 181,834
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 554,687
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 615,355
<BONDS> 0
<COMMON> 281
0
0
<OTHER-SE> (75,248)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 554,687
<SALES> 1,121,567
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,121,567
<CGS> 897,117
<TOTAL-COSTS> 897,117
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 48,634
<INCOME-PRETAX> (256,986)
<INCOME-TAX> 20,217
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (277,203)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> (749)
<CHANGES> (3,938)
<NET-INCOME> (281,890)
<EPS-BASIC> (10.06)
<EPS-DILUTED> (10.06)
</TABLE>
