<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE LIMITED, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED
JANUARY 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1998
<CASH>                                         746,395
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   83,370
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,002,710
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,031,151
<PP&E>                                       3,104,612
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,584,704
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,300,761
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,093,412
<BONDS>                                        650,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       180,352
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,864,605
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,300,761
<SALES>                                      9,188,804
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             9,188,804
<CGS>                                        6,370,827
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                6,370,827
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             2,124,663
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              68,728
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                400,390
<INCOME-TAX>                                   183,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            217,390
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   217,390
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.80
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.79