<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE LIMITED, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE
QUARTER ENDED AUGUST 3, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-04-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-03-1996
<CASH>                                          33,050
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   96,282
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,116,060
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,383,084
<PP&E>                                       3,150,493
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,378,474
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,888,904
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,017,126
<BONDS>                                        650,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       180,352
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,888,904
<SALES>                                      3,683,544
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,683,544
<CGS>                                        2,722,094
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,722,094
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               826,072
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              35,281
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                111,302
<INCOME-TAX>                                    50,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             61,302
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    61,302
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .21