<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF J. BAKER, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED NOVEMBER 2, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-02-1996
<CASH>                                       2,298,981
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               36,016,784
<ALLOWANCES>                                 3,092,535
<INVENTORY>                                319,134,625
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           372,181,663
<PP&E>                                     196,967,307
<DEPRECIATION>                              77,739,566
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             551,902,259
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      107,966,441
<BONDS>                                    254,794,736
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     6,946,005
<OTHER-SE>                                 180,409,184
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               551,902,259
<SALES>                                    650,099,176
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           650,099,176
<CGS>                                      361,867,161
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              361,867,161
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           9,026,990
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              6,112,645
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,383,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          3,729,645
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 3,729,645
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .27
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .27