<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as presented in Saks Incorporated's
Form 10-Q for the three and six month periods ended July 31, 1999 and August 1,
1998.
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands except Per Share Amounts)
</LEGEND>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS 3-MOS 6-MOS 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-29-2000 JAN-30-1999 JAN-29-2000 JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUL-31-1999 AUG-01-1998 JUL-31-1999 AUG-01-1998
<CASH> 22,683 21,411 2,683 31,411
<SECURITIES> 0 0 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 160,816 137,418 160,816 137,418
<ALLOWANCES> 0 0 0 0
<INVENTORY> 1,516,710 1,369,498 1,516,710 1,369,498
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,861,676 1,693,892 1,861,676 1,693,892
<PP&E> 2,224,033 1,822,735 2,224,033 1,822,735
<DEPRECIATION> 0 0 0 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,972,750 4,157,139 4,972,750 4,157,139
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 803,819 758,295 803,819 758,295
<BONDS> 1,946,928 980,840 1,946,928 980,840
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
<COMMON> 14,456 14,314 14,456 14,314
<OTHER-SE> 2,047,328 1,985,525 2,047,328 1,985,525
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,972,750 4,157,139 4,972,750 4,157,139
<SALES> 1,426,535 1,283,744 2,971,056 2,696,346
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,426,535 1,283,744 2,971,056 2,696,346
<CGS> 912,609 829,140 1,907,002 1,742,154
<TOTAL-COSTS> 912,609 829,140 1,907,002 1,742,154
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 451,182 424,199 909,827 851,398
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 34,312 24,498 69,288 49,292
<INCOME-PRETAX> 31,256 6,533 87,759 54,256
<INCOME-TAX> 12,437 3,551 35,205 23,150
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 18,819 2,982 52,554 31,106
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 334 9,261 334
<CHANGES> 0 0 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 18,819 2,648 43,293 30,772
<EPS-BASIC> .13 .02 .30 .22
<EPS-DILUTED> .13 .02 .29 .21
</TABLE>