Exhibit 99.1


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                MEDIA CONTACT
                                                     Wendy Wall
                                                     Vollmer Public Relations
                                                     (Wendy@vollmerpr.com)
                                                     713/546-2230

                                                     INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT
                                                     Bob Aronson
                                                     800-579-2302


  STAGE STORES ANNOUNCES FINAL COURT APPROVAL OF DIP FINANCING

     HOUSTON,  TX,  June  27, 2000 - - Stage Stores,  Inc.  today
announced  that its three year, $450 million debtor-in-possession
credit  agreement  with Citicorp USA, Inc.  as  agent  (the  "DIP
Financing")  was  given  full  and final  approval  by  the  U.S.
Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas in  an  order
dated June 26, 2000.

     Jack Wiesner, Chairman, interim Chief Executive Officer  and
President,  commented,  "We are pleased to  receive  final  court
approval  for  the  full  amount  of  the  DIP  Financing.   This
financing  will  help  ensure that the  company  has  significant
liquidity  to  meet  our financial obligations  in  the  ordinary
course of business."

      Stage Stores, Inc., brings nationally recognized brand name
apparel,  accessories,  cosmetics and  footwear  for  the  entire
family  to  small  towns  and communities throughout  the  United
States.  The company currently operates more thanover 600  stores
in  33 states, primarily under the Stage, Bealls and Palais Royal
names.

     Any  statements  in  this  release that  may  be  considered
forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
that  could  cause  actual results to differ  materially.   These
risks  and uncertainties are discussed in periodic reports  filed
by  the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission  that
the company urges investors to consider.

                               ###
                               ###