<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF J. BAKER, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED NOVEMBER 1, 1997 
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                NOV-1-1997
<CASH>                                       1,359,287
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               23,735,591
<ALLOWANCES>                                 5,289,617
<INVENTORY>                                178,433,257
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           243,914,375
<PP&E>                                     123,133,957
<DEPRECIATION>                              49,063,423
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             356,782,213
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       72,081,082
<BONDS>                                    209,337,870
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     6,959,639
<OTHER-SE>                                  65,389,589
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               356,782,213
<SALES>                                    420,427,742
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           420,427,742
<CGS>                                      232,054,003
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              232,054,003
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           9,960,373
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,295,426
<INCOME-TAX>                                   505,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            790,426
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   790,426
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.06