<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE MAY
DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MAY 4, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-04-1996
<CASH>                                              12
<SECURITIES>                                       159
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,231
<ALLOWANCES>                                        81
<INVENTORY>                                      2,390
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 4,888
<PP&E>                                           5,744
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,952
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   9,440
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,652
<BONDS>                                          3,313
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                       3,871
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     9,440
<SALES>                                          2,421
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 2,511
<CGS>                                            1,755
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,755
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  64
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    164
<INCOME-TAX>                                        66
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 98
<DISCONTINUED>                                      11
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       109
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.41