<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF J. BAKER, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MAY 1, 1999
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-29-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-01-1999
<CASH>                                       1,423,389
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               16,547,505
<ALLOWANCES>                                   220,000
<INVENTORY>                                175,028,033
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           203,298,048
<PP&E>                                     125,567,622
<DEPRECIATION>                              57,040,151
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             336,794,212
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       61,466,135
<BONDS>                                    193,665,534
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     7,032,263
<OTHER-SE>                                  71,920,080
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               336,794,212
<SALES>                                    129,192,610
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           129,192,610
<CGS>                                       68,973,108
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               68,973,108
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,478,512
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,531,990
<INCOME-TAX>                                   552,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            979,990
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   979,990
<EPS-BASIC>                                     0.07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.07