<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as presented in Saks Incorporated's
Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 1, 1999.
</LEGEND>

                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-2000             JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-01-1999             MAY-02-1998
<CASH>                                      43,926,000              42,484,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                              191,412,000             182,620,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                              1,571,182,000           1,407,643,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                         1,971,786,000           1,796,655,000
<PP&E>                                   2,141,049,000           1,772,940,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           5,027,370,000           4,223,265,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      904,148,000             866,419,000
<BONDS>                                  1,931,683,000           1,252,557,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                    14,447,000              14,193,000
<OTHER-SE>                               2,027,481,000           1,964,601,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             5,027,370,000           4,223,265,000
<SALES>                                  1,544,521,000           1,412,602,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         1,544,521,000           1,412,602,000
<CGS>                                      994,393,000             922,570,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0                       0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               458,649                 417,515
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          34,976,000              24,794,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             56,503,000              47,723,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                22,768,000              19,599,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         33,735,000              28,124,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                              9,261,000                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                24,474,000              28,124,000
<EPS-BASIC>                                     0.17                    0.20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.17                    0.19