<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE  CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PAYLESS
SHOESOURCE, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS FOR THE 39 WEEKS
ENDED OCTOBER 30, 1999, AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF OCTOBER
30, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-29-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-30-1999
<CASH>                                         210,700<F1>
<SECURITIES>                                         0<F2>
<RECEIVABLES>                                    8,700<F3>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0<F3>
<INVENTORY>                                    359,400
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               606,000
<PP&E>                                         956,900
<DEPRECIATION>                                 469,200
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,118,700
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          218,100
<BONDS>                                        126,300<F4>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           300
<OTHER-SE>                                     725,000<F5>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,118,700
<SALES>                                      2,126,200<F6>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,126,200
<CGS>                                        1,438,300
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,438,300
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               (200)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                201,600
<INCOME-TAX>                                    80,400
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            121,200
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   121,200
<EPS-BASIC>                                       3.84<F7>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.82<F7>
<FN>
<F1>Includes cash equivalent securities.
<F2>Any "securities" are shown under "Cash".
<F3>Receivables are net after deduction of allowances.
<F4>Consists of Capital Lease Obligations plus Long-Term Debt.
<F5>Reflects Retained Earnings and Additional Paid In Capital.
<F6>Reflects net sales.
<F7>Expressed in dollars.
</FN>