EXHIBIT 23.3
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
     We consent to the use in this Registration Statement of Ames Department
Stores, Inc. on Form S-3 of our report dated March 11, 1998 on Hills Stores
Company and subsidiaries' consolidated financial statements, appearing in this
Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement and to the reference to
us under the heading "Experts" in such Prospectus.
 
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
Boston, Massachusetts
April 1, 1999