Exhibit 99.1
                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                  
                    PROVIDES COMMITTED FINANCING


ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, January 13, 1997 . . . Brown Group, Inc. (NYSE:
BG) today announced the completion of a strategic repositioning of its
debt structure that provides committed financing for long-term growth
and investment in operations.  This announcement was made by Harry E.
Rich, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

The repositioning included the October 1996 sale of $100 million in 9
1/2% senior notes and the signing on January 9, 1997 of a new $155
million revolving credit bank facility that replaces the company's
previous revolving credit agreement. The senior notes are due  
October 15, 2006.  The sale of the senior notes was underwritten by
Smith Barney, Inc.,   First Chicago Capital Markets, Inc. and Dillon,
Read & Co. Inc.  The revolving credit bank facility is provided by a
syndicate of eight banks including NationsBanc Capital Markets, Inc.
and First Chicago Capital Markets, Inc. as Co-Agents. The facility
includes a LIBOR-based borrowing option and committed letter-of-credit
backing and expires in three years.

In making this announcement, Mr. Rich said:

     "We are pleased to announce this completion of the
     repositioning of Brown Group's short and long-term debt
     structure.  The new arrangements provide more balanced
     exposure to interest rates, enhanced financial flexibility,
     and committed intermediate-term capital to support
     investment in our operations for long-term growth."



Brown Group, Inc. is a $1.5 billion footwear company with worldwide
operations.  The company operates the Famous Footwear, Naturalizer and
F. X. LaSalle chains of footwear retail stores and markets leading
brands including Naturalizer, Life Stride, NaturalSport, the Larry
Stuart Collection, le coq sportif athletic footwear,  Buster Brown,
and licensed brands including Dr. Scholl's and Disney character
footwear.