<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the BJ's
Wholesale Club, Inc. combined statements of income and consolidated balance
sheets filed with the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 26, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-26-1997
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,320
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    317,056
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               350,874
<PP&E>                                         499,558
<DEPRECIATION>                                 116,481
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 744,336
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          255,576
<BONDS>                                          2,553
<COMMON>                                           329
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     282,335
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   744,336
<SALES>                                        665,922
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               678,947      
<CGS>                                          612,199          
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  612,199
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                51,374
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,882
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 11,492
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,435
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,057
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     7,057
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0