<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE SERVICE
MERCHANDISE COMPANY, INC. FORM 10-Q FOR QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 1, 2000
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DETAILED IN PART I OF THE FORM 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-03-2000
<PERIOD-END> OCT-01-2000
<CASH> 22,376
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 25,451
<ALLOWANCES> 17,545
<INVENTORY> 523,968
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 576,891
<PP&E> 731,222
<DEPRECIATION> 371,048
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 985,930
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 379,119
<BONDS> 479,465
0
0
<COMMON> 99,906<F1>
<OTHER-SE> (254,737)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 985,930
<SALES> 1,034,915
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,034,915
<CGS> 820,467
<TOTAL-COSTS> 820,467
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 372,478<F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 29,614
<INCOME-PRETAX> (187,644)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (187,644)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (187,644)
<EPS-BASIC> (1.88)
<EPS-DILUTED> (1.88)
<FN>
<F1>AMOUNT REPRESENTS THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF $0.50 PAR VALUE COMMON STOCK AND
OUTSTANDING.
<F2>AMOUNT INCLUDES (I) DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION (II) SELLING, GENERAL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES (III) OTHER INCOME, NET (IV) RESTRUCTURING CHARGE AND
(V) REORGANIZATION ITEMS.
</FN>
</TABLE>
