<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF J. BAKER, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 30, 1999 
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-30-1999
<CASH>                                       3,679,115
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               12,932,829
<ALLOWANCES>                                   185,000
<INVENTORY>                                164,057,913
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           188,615,715
<PP&E>                                     122,604,736
<DEPRECIATION>                              54,109,006
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             324,034,659
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       68,526,928
<BONDS>                                    174,582,825
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     7,032,263
<OTHER-SE>                                  71,151,052
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               324,034,659
<SALES>                                    584,276,206
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           584,276,206
<CGS>                                      324,359,899
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              324,359,899
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          14,531,595
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              3,177,518
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,144,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          2,033,518
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 2,033,518
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.14