<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE MAY
DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1998 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                              14
<SECURITIES>                                        18
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,931
<ALLOWANCES>                                        75
<INVENTORY>                                      3,300
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 5,287
<PP&E>                                           7,125
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,646
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  10,820
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            2,700
<BONDS>                                          3,868
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                       3,463
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    10,820
<SALES>                                          8,570
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 8,795
<CGS>                                            6,182
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    6,182
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 201
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    616
<INCOME-TAX>                                       245
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                371
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       371
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.49