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

                                
                        February 19, 1999
        (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  naming  new
executive vice president, chief merchandising officer and certain
other matters was issued by the Company on February 19, 1999  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 February 19, 1999 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.

February 19, 1999                      /s/ James A. Marcum
 (Date)                                 James A. Marcum
                                        Vice Chairman and,
                                        Chief Financial Officer
                                

EX-99.1

                          NEWS RELEASE

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

     STAGE STORES, INC. NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT,
                   CHIEF MERCHANDISING OFFICER
                 ______________________________

HOUSTON, TX, February 19, 1999 -- Stage Stores, Inc. (NYSE: SGE)
today announced the promotion of Gregg Kennedy to Executive Vice
President and Chief Merchandising Officer.  Mr. Kennedy, who
recently joined the Company in August 1998, was Senior Vice
President, General Merchandise Manager for juniors and women's
apparel, coats and accessories.  Mr. Kennedy will report to Carl
Tooker, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Kennedy, 51, has had a distinguished career in the retail
industry with over 25 years of experience, primarily in senior
apparel-related positions.  Most notably, he spent 6 years at
Federated Department Stores where he held a variety of
merchandising and store management positions, 12 years at
Kaufmann's, a division of May Company, where he was Vice
President, Divisional Merchandise Manager for women's sportswear
and 6 years at Belk Department Stores where he was Vice
President, General Merchandise Manager for women's apparel and,
in addition, was responsible for product development.

In commenting on the promotion, Carl E. Tooker, Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We had the
opportunity to interview several strong external candidates but
concluded that Gregg possessed all of the skills, strengths,
knowledge and retail industry experience that we were looking for
to fill this critical position.  Most importantly, Gregg has
developed a strong understanding of our Company and concept and
through his current and prior experience is extremely familiar
with our resource structure.  Over the last six months, Gregg has
been instrumental in identifying opportunities for growing the
categories of business that he has been responsible for.  In
addition, I have been working closely with Gregg over the last
several months developing our 1999 merchandise plans and believe
that Gregg's abilities have and will continue to benefit the
ongoing development and refinement of our merchandise mix as we
focus on capitalizing on opportunities for growth within each one
of the markets that we serve."







Stage Stores, Inc. brings nationally recognized brand name
apparel, accessories, cosmetics and footwear for the entire
family to small towns and communities throughout the United
States.  The company operated 679 stores in 34 states at the end
of the fourth 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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