<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 AUGUST 1, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-01-1998
<CASH>                                         498,862
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   81,131
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,144,545
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,896,679
<PP&E>                                       3,057,597
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,595,586
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,136,945
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          980,614
<BONDS>                                        650,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       180,352
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,820,515
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,136,945
<SALES>                                      2,083,101
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,083,101
<CGS>                                        1,468,387
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,468,387
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               538,336
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,414
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,714,338
<INCOME-TAX>                                    30,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          1,684,338
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,684,338
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     7.13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     6.93