<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
EXHIBIT 27 --  THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL
INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PAYLESS SHOESOURCE, INC. CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS FOR THE 39 WEEKS ENDED OCTOBER
31, 1998, AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF OCTOBER
31, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001060232
<NAME> PAYLESS SHOESOURCE,INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                         102,400<F1>
<SECURITIES>                                         0<F2>
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,900<F3>
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0<F3>
<INVENTORY>                                    353,300
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               480,900
<PP&E>                                         923,900
<DEPRECIATION>                                 429,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,003,500
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          211,300
<BONDS>                                          5,200<F4>
<COMMON>                                           300
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     737,900<F5>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,003,500
<SALES>                                      2,047,100<F6>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,047,100
<CGS>                                        1,394,600
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,394,600
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              (6,000)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                200,800
<INCOME-TAX>                                    80,100
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            120,700
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   120,700
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.35<F7>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.31<F7>
<FN>
<F1>Includes cash equivalent securities.
<F2>Any "securities" are shown under "Cash".
<F3>Receivables are net after deduction of allowances.
<F4>Consists of Capital Lease Obligations.
<F5>Reflects Retained Earnings and Additional Paid In Capital.
<F6>Reflects net sales.
<F7>Expressed in dollars.
</FN>