<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE MAY
DEPARTMENT STORES COMPANY FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED APRIL 29, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-03-2001
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-29-2000
<CASH>                                              23
<SECURITIES>                                        17
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,979
<ALLOWANCES>                                        66
<INVENTORY>                                      3,191
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 5,227
<PP&E>                                           7,945
<DEPRECIATION>                                   3,136
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  11,080
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            2,556
<BONDS>                                          3,709
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                       3,897
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    11,080
<SALES>                                          3,041
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 3,050
<CGS>                                            2,141
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,141
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  71
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    200
<INCOME-TAX>                                        80
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                120
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       120
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.35