<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                AUG-2-1997
<CASH>                                       1,711,896
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               21,659,334
<ALLOWANCES>                                 5,667,867
<INVENTORY>                                164,268,910
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           227,780,894
<PP&E>                                     120,867,048
<DEPRECIATION>                              45,734,247
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             341,479,846
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       63,321,210
<BONDS>                                    201,049,575
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     6,958,614
<OTHER-SE>                                  66,970,298
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               341,479,846
<SALES>                                    281,279,618
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           281,279,618
<CGS>                                      155,491,836
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              155,491,836
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           6,450,077
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              3,562,119
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,389,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          2,173,119
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 2,173,119
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.16