<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) OF THE LIMITED, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MAY 3, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-03-1997
<CASH>                                          57,454
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   80,126
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,091,056
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,386,746
<PP&E>                                       3,347,511
<DEPRECIATION>                             (1,511,701)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,982,164
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          809,389
<BONDS>                                        650,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       180,352
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,738,069
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,982,164
<SALES>                                      1,829,780
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,829,780
<CGS>                                        1,328,309
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,328,309
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               415,847
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,547
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 44,873
<INCOME-TAX>                                    20,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             24,873
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    24,873
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .09