<?xml version="1.0"?><ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3/A</documentType><periodOfReport>2002-02-11</periodOfReport><dateOfOriginalSubmission>2002-02-19</dateOfOriginalSubmission>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000740670</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MICHAELS STORES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MIK</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001187638</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WELLEN JEFFREY L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>8000 BENT BRANCH DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>IRVING</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>75063</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>Head of Strategic P&amp;I</officerTitle></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeTable><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>20.9850</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F2" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2006-07-30</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>20000.0000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">This grant of options was erroneously reported as being a grant to the reporting person under the Michaels Stores, Inc. 2001 General Stock Option Plan; however, this grant of options was granted to the reporting person under the Michaels Stores, Inc. 2001 Employee Stock Option Plan (currently known as the Michaels Stores, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2001 Employee Stock Option Plan).</footnote><footnote id="F2">Grant to the reporting person on July 31, 2001 of options under the Michaels Stores, Inc. 2001 Employee Stock Option Plan to purchase 20,000 shares of Michaels Stores, Inc. common stock; 6,666 of which will vest on July 31, 2002, and 6,667 of which will vest on each of July 31, 2003 and July 31, 2004.  </footnote></footnotes><remarks></remarks><ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Elizabeth K. Giddens
Elizabeth K. Giddens, Attorney-in-Fact for Jeffrey L. Wellen, Head of Strategic Planning and Initiatives, Office of the CEO</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-12-23</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

