<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF J. BAKER, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1998 
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                         916,379
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               20,150,256
<ALLOWANCES>                                   592,458
<INVENTORY>                                187,500,067
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           218,364,091
<PP&E>                                     124,849,457
<DEPRECIATION>                              53,991,249
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             355,327,626
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       61,000,981
<BONDS>                                    211,519,939
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     7,031,263
<OTHER-SE>                                  72,892,427
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               355,327,626
<SALES>                                    411,389,847
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           411,389,847
<CGS>                                      224,047,898
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              224,047,898
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          11,055,400
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              6,307,190
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,460,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          3,847,190
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 3,847,190
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.27