<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
       THE FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY
       FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE STAGE
       STORES, INC. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
       AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
       SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER>                       1000
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>           Jan-29-2000
<PERIOD-END>                Jan-29-2000
<CASH>                           20,179
<SECURITIES>                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                         0
<ALLOWANCES>                          0
<INVENTORY>                     261,104
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                357,074
<PP&E>                          181,834
<DEPRECIATION>                        0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                  554,687
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>           615,355
<BONDS>                               0
<COMMON>                            281
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                 0
<PREFERRED>                           0
<OTHER-SE>                      (75,248)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>    554,687
<SALES>                       1,121,567
<TOTAL-REVENUES>              1,121,567
<CGS>                           897,117
<TOTAL-COSTS>                   897,117
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                      0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>               48,634
<INCOME-PRETAX>                (256,986)
<INCOME-TAX>                     20,217
<INCOME-CONTINUING>            (277,203)
<DISCONTINUED>                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                    (749)
<CHANGES>                        (3,938)
<NET-INCOME>                   (281,890)
<EPS-BASIC>                    (10.06)
<EPS-DILUTED>                    (10.06)