8-K

                            FORM 8-K

        UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                     Washington, D.C.  20549


                            FORM 8-K
                         CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
                              1934


                           May 1, 2000
        (Date of Report, date of earliest event reported)


                       Stage Stores, Inc.
     (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


             Commission file number 001-14035



           DELAWARE                         76-0407711
(State or other jurisdiction of          (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)         Identifications No.)

  10201 Main Street, Houston,                 77025
             Texas                          (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive
           offices)


                         (713) 667-5601
      (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


                         Not Applicable
     (Former name or address, if changed since last report)


ITEM 5.  Other Events.

     A   press  release  regarding  the  Company  announcing  the
resignation  of  James  A.  Marcum from  his  positions  as  Vice
Chairman,  Chief Financial Officer and Director  of  the  Company
effective May 1, 2000 and certain other matters was issued by the
Company on May 24, 2000 and is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.


ITEM 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

     (a)  Financial statements of business acquired.

       Not applicable.

     (b)  Pro forma financial information.

       Not applicable.

     (c)  Exhibits.

       99.1  Press release dated May 24, 2000 issued by the
       Company.








                           SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange  Act
of  1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                        STAGE STORES, INC.

May 25, 2000                            /s/ Charles M. Sledge
 (Date)                                 Charles M. Sledge
                                        Senior VP Finance, Treasurer
                                        and Secretary

EX-99.1

                                                     Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT:  Bob Aronson
          Director of Investor Relations
          (800) 579-2302


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


           STAGE STORES, INC. ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION OF
            VICE CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                 ______________________________

HOUSTON,  TX,  May  24,  2000 - Stage Stores,  Inc.  (NYSE:  SGE)
announced  today  that, effective May 1, 2000,  James  A.  Marcum
resigned  from his position as Vice Chairman and Chief  Financial
Officer  of  the Company to pursue other interests.   Mr.  Marcum
also  resigned  from his position as a Director  of  the  Company
effective that same date.

Upon  Mr.  Marcum's resignation, his duties and  responsibilities
were reassigned to others within the Company.

Stage Stores, Inc. brings nationally recognized brand name family
apparel,  accessories,  cosmetics and  footwear  for  the  entire
family  to  small  towns  and communities throughout  the  United
States.  The company operated 646 stores in 33 states at the  end
of  the  first  quarter, primarily under the  Stage,  Bealls  and
Palais Royal trade names.

Any  statements  in  this press release that  may  be  considered
forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
that  could  cause  actual results to differ  materially.   These
risks  and uncertainties are discussed in periodic reports  filed
by  the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission  that
the Company urges investors to consider.
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