<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BJ'S
WHOLESALE CLUB, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEETS FILED WITH THE FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JULY 26, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-26-1997
<CASH>                                           5,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   24,981
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    333,324
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               378,088
<PP&E>                                         517,655
<DEPRECIATION>                                 129,735
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 776,561
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          270,628
<BONDS>                                         74,513
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           375
<OTHER-SE>                                     398,663
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   776,561
<SALES>                                      1,437,940
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,464,402
<CGS>                                        1,315,474
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,315,474
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               105,596
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,482
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 35,850
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,838
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             22,012
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    22,012
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.59
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.59