<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
quarterly report on form 10-Q of The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. for the period
ended October 28, 2000 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.

This schedule shall not be deemed to be filed for purposes of section 11 of the
securities act of 1933, section 18 of the securities exchange act of 1934 and
section 233 of the trust indenture act of 1939, or otherwise subject to the
liabilities of such sections, nor shall it be deemed a part of any registration
statement to which it relates.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-03-2001
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-28-2000
<CASH>                                           8,296
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  129,999
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,753
<INVENTORY>                                    214,431
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               373,934
<PP&E>                                          82,801
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 503,363
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           79,577
<BONDS>                                        201,289
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       242,013
<OTHER-SE>                                    (28,213)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   503,363
<SALES>                                        427,587
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               449,462
<CGS>                                          323,417
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  323,417
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,807
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,611
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (23,809)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (8,571)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (15,238)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (15,238)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (1.05)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.05)