<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE MAY
DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MAY 2, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-02-1998
<CASH>                                              13
<SECURITIES>                                       269
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,960
<ALLOWANCES>                                        83
<INVENTORY>                                      2,752
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 4,989
<PP&E>                                           6,896
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,657
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  10,048
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,922
<BONDS>                                          3,470
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                       3,817
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    10,048
<SALES>                                          2,732
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 2,817
<CGS>                                            1,983
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,983
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  67
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    183
<INCOME-TAX>                                        73
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                110
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       110
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.44