<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
EXHIBIT 27 -- THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM PAYLESS SHOESOURCE, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS FOR
THE 26 WEEKS ENDED JULY 29, 2000, AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF
JULY 29, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-03-2001
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-30-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-29-2000
<CASH>                                          13,500
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    9,100
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    364,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               435,200
<PP&E>                                       1,083,800
<DEPRECIATION>                                 588,600
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 970,200
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          224,900
<BONDS>                                        323,700
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           200
<OTHER-SE>                                     373,500
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   970,200
<SALES>                                      1,525,400
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,525,400
<CGS>                                        1,026,700
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,026,700
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,600
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                127,500
<INCOME-TAX>                                    49,600
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             77,900
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  3,600
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    74,300
<EPS-BASIC>                                       2.93
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.90

<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 plus Long-Term Debt.
<F5>Reflects Retained Earnings and Additional Paid In Capital.
<F6>Reflects net sales.
<F7>Expressed in dollars.