<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF J. BAKER, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JULY 31, 1999 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-29-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1999
<CASH>                                       2,163,842
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               16,138,556
<ALLOWANCES>                                   235,000
<INVENTORY>                                190,222,752
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           220,547,947
<PP&E>                                     130,909,693
<DEPRECIATION>                              60,716,281
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             358,183,689
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       78,800,993
<BONDS>                                    191,312,740
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     7,032,513
<OTHER-SE>                                  78,385,325
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               358,183,689
<SALES>                                    298,440,297
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           298,440,297
<CGS>                                      160,920,637
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              160,920,637
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           7,804,817
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              6,804,018
<INCOME-TAX>                                 2,450,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          4,354,018
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 4,354,018
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.30