<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Financial Statements as presented in Saks Incorporated 1999 Annual
Report as of January 29, 2000 and January 30, 1999 and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>

                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-29-2000             JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-29-2000             JAN-30-1999
<CASH>                                      19,560,000              32,752,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                              202,134,000             159,596,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                              1,487,783,000           1,390,279,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                         1,894,658,000           1,792,914,000
<PP&E>                                   2,350,543,000           2,111,965,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           5,098,952,000           5,188,981,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      783,862,000             905,039,000
<BONDS>                                  1,966,802,000           2,110,395,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                    14,281,000              14,401,000
<OTHER-SE>                               2,194,062,000           1,993,174,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             5,098,952,000           5,188,981,000
<SALES>                                  6,423,819,000           5,955,242,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         6,423,819,000           5,955,242,000
<CGS>                                    4,022,522,000           3,788,794,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                         1,945,089,000           2,011,512,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                         138,968,000             110,971,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            317,380,000              66,166,000
<INCOME-TAX>                               118,476,000              41,181,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        198,904,000              24,985,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                            (9,261,000)            (25,881,000)
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                               189,643,000               (896,000)
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.32                  (0.01)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.30                  (0.01)