<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF J. BAKER, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 3, 1996 AND
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-03-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-03-1996
<CASH>                                       3,287,141
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               25,952,096
<ALLOWANCES>                                 3,217,249
<INVENTORY>                                285,703,289
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           336,760,999
<PP&E>                                     183,607,125
<DEPRECIATION>                              62,524,262
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             526,081,742
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      131,680,595
<BONDS>                                    207,765,711
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     6,936,324
<OTHER-SE>                                 177,101,086
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               526,081,742
<SALES>                                  1,020,412,703
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         1,020,412,703
<CGS>                                      580,067,086
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              580,067,086
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          10,456,879
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (64,425,114)
<INCOME-TAX>                              (25,823,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (38,602,114)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (38,602,114)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (2.79)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (2.79)