<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS, CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THIRTY-NINE WEEKS
ENDED NOVEMBER 1, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001051848
<NAME> CSK AUTO CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-02-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-01-1998
<CASH>                                           6,748
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   51,754
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,377)
<INVENTORY>                                    400,811
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               477,638
<PP&E>                                         192,062
<DEPRECIATION>                                (89,375)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 612,897
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          202,152
<BONDS>                                         81,250
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           277
<OTHER-SE>                                      95,975
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   612,897
<SALES>                                        756,266
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               756,266
<CGS>                                          403,857
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  702,541
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              23,532
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 30,193
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,076
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,117
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (6,767)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    12,350
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.47
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.45