<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF J. BAKER, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MAY 3, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                MAY-3-1997
<CASH>                                       2,197,884
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               24,971,095
<ALLOWANCES>                                 5,296,617
<INVENTORY>                                165,421,322
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           232,942,887
<PP&E>                                     119,517,329
<DEPRECIATION>                              42,494,053
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             349,548,557
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       76,803,910
<BONDS>                                    197,366,337
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     6,947,205
<OTHER-SE>                                  65,114,524
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               349,548,557
<SALES>                                    137,350,261
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           137,350,261
<CGS>                                       75,352,452
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               75,352,452
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,207,576
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                442,011
<INCOME-TAX>                                   173,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            269,011
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   269,011
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.02