<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE LIMITED, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE
YEAR ENDED JANUARY 29, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                     1,000

                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-29-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-29-2000
<CASH>                                         817,268
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  108,794
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,050,913
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,246,277
<PP&E>                                       2,944,827
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,715,215
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,087,689
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,238,206
<BONDS>                                        400,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       189,727
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,957,350
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,087,689
<SALES>                                      9,723,334
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             9,723,334
<CGS>                                        6,365,857
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                6,365,857
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             2,460,338
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              78,297
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                831,759
<INCOME-TAX>                                   371,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            460,759
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   460,759
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.00