<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>

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


                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                               FEB-03-2001
<PERIOD-END>                                    APR-29-2000
<CASH>                                            2,035,778
<SECURITIES>                                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    17,648,939
<ALLOWANCES>                                        215,000
<INVENTORY>                                     253,735,172
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                284,519,225
<PP&E>                                          143,667,333
<DEPRECIATION>                                   68,308,700
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  429,244,835
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           113,676,098
<BONDS>                                         221,991,977
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                               0
<COMMON>                                          7,033,763
<OTHER-SE>                                       84,026,388
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    429,244,835
<SALES>                                         170,057,212
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                170,057,212
<CGS>                                            89,911,578
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    89,911,578
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                4,924,102
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   2,412,881
<INCOME-TAX>                                        868,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               1,544,881
<DISCONTINUED>                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                      1,544,881
<EPS-BASIC>                                            0.11
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          0.11