<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF J. BAKER, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 28, 1995, 
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-28-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-30-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-28-1995
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                       4,915,491
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               25,549,504
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                333,686,950
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           374,393,867
<PP&E>                                     189,337,121
<DEPRECIATION>                            (58,271,956)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             578,618,266
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      138,269,764
<BONDS>                                    204,517,835
<COMMON>                                     6,920,324
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                 216,396,581
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               578,618,266
<SALES>                                  1,042,978,875
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         1,042,978,875
<CGS>                                      579,734,911
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              579,734,911
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           9,099,635
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             36,899,171
<INCOME-TAX>                                13,283,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         23,616,171
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                23,616,171
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.71
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.46