<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as presented in Saks Incorporated
Form 10-Q for the quarterly and six month periods ended July 29, 2000 and July
31, 1999.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 3-MOS 6-MOS 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-3-2001<F1> JAN-29-2000 FEB-3-2001
JAN-29-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUL-29-2000 JUL-31-1999 JUL-29-2000 JUL-31-2000
<CASH> 54,707,000 22,683,000 54,707,000 22,683,000
<SECURITIES> 0 0 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 193,749,000 160,816,000 193,749,000 160,816,000
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0 0 0
<INVENTORY> 1,495,728,000 1,516,710,000 1,495,728,000 1,516,710,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,885,381,000 1,861,676,000 1,885,381,000 1,861,676,000
<PP&E> 2,398,892,000 2,217,974,000 2,398,892,000 2,217,974,000
<DEPRECIATION> 0 0 0 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 5,125,045,000 4,972,750,000 5,125,045,000 4,972,750,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 772,126,000 803,819,000 772,126,000 803,819,000
<BONDS> 1,996,241,000 1,946,928,000 1,996,241,000 1,946,928,000
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
<COMMON> 14,116,000 14,456,000 14,116,000 14,456,000
<OTHER-SE> 2,202,634,000 2,047,328,000 2,202,634,000 2,047,328,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 5,125,045,000 4,972,750,000 5,125,045,000 4,972,750,000
<SALES> 1,386,827,000 1,378,486,000 2,884,725,000 2,839,313,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,386,827,000 1,378,486,000 2,884,725,000 2,839,313,000
<CGS> 891,733,000 864,560,000 1,838,538,000 1,775,259,000
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0 0 0 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 475,562,000 448,358,000 935,180,000 907,007,000
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 35,510,000 34,312,000 72,383,000 69,288,000
<INCOME-PRETAX> (15,978,000) 31,256,000 38,624,000 87,759,000
<INCOME-TAX> (10,191,000) 12,437,000 10,556,000 35,205,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (5,787,000) 18,819,000 28,068,000 52,554,000
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0 0 (9,261,000)
<CHANGES> 0 0 0 0
<NET-INCOME> (5,787,000) 18,819,000 28,068,000 43,293,000
<EPS-BASIC> (0.04) 0.13 0.20 0.30
<EPS-DILUTED> (0.04) 0.13 0.20 0.29
<FN>
<F1>
</FN>
</TABLE>