<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 JULY 2, 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> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-03-2000
<PERIOD-END> JUL-02-2000
<CASH> 29,719
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 25,764
<ALLOWANCES> 17,496
<INVENTORY> 513,592
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 568,547
<PP&E> 770,981
<DEPRECIATION> 409,382
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 981,982
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 299,576
<BONDS> 484,003
0
0
<COMMON> 99,956<F1>
<OTHER-SE> (183,497)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 981,982
<SALES> 760,577
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 760,577
<CGS> 592,100
<TOTAL-COSTS> 592,100
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 264,409<F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 20,526
<INCOME-PRETAX> (116,458)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (116,458)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (116,458)
<EPS-BASIC> (1.17)
<EPS-DILUTED> (1.17)
<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>
