<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q of The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. for the period
ended May 1, 1999 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements. </LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-29-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-01-1999
<CASH>                                           9,556
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  132,779
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,039
<INVENTORY>                                    196,506
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               357,836
<PP&E>                                          72,322
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 474,164
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           78,587
<BONDS>                                        149,672
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       266,943
<OTHER-SE>                                    (29,316)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   474,164
<SALES>                                        150,528
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               157,228
<CGS>                                          110,694
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  110,694
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   932
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,559
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (303)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (115)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (188)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (188)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.01)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.01)