<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)