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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000006885-08-000036.txt : 20080502
<SEC-HEADER>0000006885-08-000036.hdr.sgml : 20080502
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080502170357
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000006885-08-000036
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080430
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080502
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080502

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STAGE STORES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000006885
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-FAMILY CLOTHING STORES [5651]
		IRS NUMBER:				911826900
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NV
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0203

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10201 MAIN ST
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77025
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7136675601

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10201 MAIN STREET
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77025

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	APPAREL RETAILERS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19930908

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TEXTILE DISTRIBUTORS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19690521

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CRUSE ERNEST
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001182194

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14035
		FILM NUMBER:		08799847

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10201 S MAIN
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77025
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7136675601
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>cruse.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-04-30</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000006885</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>STAGE STORES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SSI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001182194</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CRUSE ERNEST</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10201 MAIN STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77025</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP, Store Operations</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-04-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>91</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>16.63</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1015</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares, which were acquired pursuant to the Stage Stores Deferred Compensation Plan (the &quot;Plan&quot;), may not be transferred to an alternative investment within the Plan or liquidated by the reporting person and will remain in the reporting person's account until such date as the reporting person is no longer an employee of the issuer and for a period of six months thereafter, at which time they will be transferred to the reporting person.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ R. E. Stasyszen, Attorney in Fact for Ernest Cruse</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-05-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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