<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE MAY
DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MAY 3, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-03-1997
<CASH>                                              12
<SECURITIES>                                        97
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,154
<ALLOWANCES>                                        94
<INVENTORY>                                      2,636
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 4,931
<PP&E>                                           6,489
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,304
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   9,978
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            2,137
<BONDS>                                          3,722
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                       3,462
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     9,978
<SALES>                                          2,586
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 2,675
<CGS>                                            1,881
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,881
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  76
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    163
<INCOME-TAX>                                        65
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 98
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    (4)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        94
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.37