<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 MAY 1, 1999 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-29-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-01-1999
<CASH>                                          10,850
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   36,445
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    399,930
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               467,405
<PP&E>                                         624,610
<DEPRECIATION>                                 181,797
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 921,581
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          377,620
<BONDS>                                          7,202
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           740
<OTHER-SE>                                     493,664
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   921,581
<SALES>                                        858,761
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               879,724
<CGS>                                          786,930
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  786,930
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                69,534
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               (413)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,673
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,303
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             14,370
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,370
<EPS-BASIC>                                     0.19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.19