<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>

THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF J. BAKER, INC. FOR THE YEAR END JANUARY 29, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>



                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              JAN-29-2000
<PERIOD-END>                                   JAN-29-2000
<CASH>                                           5,486,290
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   15,614,151
<ALLOWANCES>                                       200,000
<INVENTORY>                                    206,790,453
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               235,345,700
<PP&E>                                         135,631,513
<DEPRECIATION>                                  65,098,471
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 376,627,163
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          110,362,201
<BONDS>                                        174,064,132
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                    0
<PREFERRED>                                              0
<COMMON>                                         7,033,763
<OTHER-SE>                                      82,692,527
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   376,627,163
<SALES>                                        665,456,337
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               665,456,337
<CGS>                                          359,983,047
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  359,983,047
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,058,383
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 13,241,610
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,369,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,872,610
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,872,610
<EPS-BASIC>                                           0.63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         0.62