<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF J. BAKER, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 1, 1997 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-01-1997
<CASH>                                       3,969,116
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               21,796,137
<ALLOWANCES>                                 5,286,617
<INVENTORY>                                146,045,496
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           272,358,747
<PP&E>                                     116,686,446
<DEPRECIATION>                              40,032,801
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             382,520,803
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       90,236,386
<BONDS>                                    214,092,084
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     6,946,199
<OTHER-SE>                                  65,043,061
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               382,520,803
<SALES>                                    897,491,941
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           897,491,941
<CGS>                                      542,246,938
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              542,246,938
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          12,802,377
<INCOME-PRETAX>                          (157,273,903)
<INCOME-TAX>                              (45,846,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                      (111,427,903)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                             (111,427,903)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (8.02)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (8.02)