<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA EXTRACTED FROM CONSOLIDATED STORES
CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FILED
IN FORM 10Q AS OF JULY 29, 2000, AND THE TWENTY-SIX WEEK PERIOD THEN ENDED, AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-03-2001
<PERIOD-START> JAN-30-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUL-29-2000
<CASH> 59,885
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 863,126
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,061,789
<PP&E> 879,199
<DEPRECIATION> 423,129
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,189,888
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 371,511
<BONDS> 515,000
0
0
<COMMON> 1,114
<OTHER-SE> 1,227,136
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,189,888
<SALES> 1,431,657
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,431,657
<CGS> 829,454
<TOTAL-COSTS> 829,454
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 8,467
<INCOME-PRETAX> 39,009
<INCOME-TAX> 15,408
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 23,601
<DISCONTINUED> (99,457)
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (75,856)
<EPS-BASIC> (.68)
<EPS-DILUTED> (.68)
</TABLE>