<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the BJ's
Wholesale Club, Inc. consolidated statements of income and consolidated balance
sheets filed with the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 25, 1997 and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-25-1997
<CASH>                                           8,330
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   30,901
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    401,291
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               454,609
<PP&E>                                         528,382
<DEPRECIATION>                                 139,007
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 854,760
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          318,580
<BONDS>                                         87,173
<COMMON>                                           375
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     412,837
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   854,760
<SALES>                                      2,181,963
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,226,840
<CGS>                                        1,994,819
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,994,819
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               165,166
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,500
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 58,355
<INCOME-TAX>                                    22,525
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             35,830
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    35,830
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.95
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.95