<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF OCTOBER 28, 1995 AND THE 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 28, 1995
(UNAUDITED) AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000812900
<NAME> PROFFITTS INC
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-03-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-28-1995
<CASH>                                           1,173
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   15,229
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    242,061
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               275,474
<PP&E>                                         322,552
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 664,212
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          140,593
<BONDS>                                        331,982
<COMMON>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     191,637
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   664,212
<SALES>                                        482,594
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               494,201
<CGS>                                          306,856
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  306,856
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                36,074
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              14,473
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,429
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,104
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,325
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,325
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.57
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.57