<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of November 2,
1996 and the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the
thirty-nine weeks ended November 2, 1996 (Unaudited) and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000878079
<NAME> BON TON STORES INC
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                        FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                             NOV-02-1996
<CASH>                                         8,797
<SECURITIES>                                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                 22,499
<ALLOWANCES>                                   2,735
<INVENTORY>                                  216,816
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             263,417
<PP&E>                                       185,680
<DEPRECIATION>                                67,164
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               404,174
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        110,627
<BONDS>                                      192,202
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0
<PREFERRED>                                        0
<COMMON>                                         113
<OTHER-SE>                                   100,049
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 404,174
<SALES>                                      408,434
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             409,953
<CGS>                                        255,308
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                405,921
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            10,877
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (6,845)
<INCOME-TAX>                                 (2,458)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (4,387)
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0
<CHANGES>                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (4,387)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (.40)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (.40)