8-K

                            FORM 8-K

        UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                     Washington, D.C.  20549


                            FORM 8-K
                         CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
                              1934


                          July 18, 2000
        (Date of Report, date of earliest event reported)


                       Stage Stores, Inc.
     (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


             Commission file number 001-14035



           DELAWARE                         76-0407711
(State or other jurisdiction of          (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)         Identifications No.)

  10201 Main Street, Houston,                 77025
             Texas                          (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive
           offices)


                         (713) 667-5601
      (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


                         Not Applicable
     (Former name or address, if changed since last report)


ITEM 5.  Other Events.

     A  press  release regarding the Company announcing that  the
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas approved
the Company's plan to close 120 under performing stores as a part
of its restructuring process and certain other matters was issued
by the Company on July 18, 2000 and is attached hereto as Exhibit
99.1.


ITEM 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

     (a)  Financial statements of business acquired.

       Not applicable.

     (b)  Pro forma financial information.

       Not applicable.

     (c)  Exhibits.

       99.1  Press release dated July 18, 2000 issued by the
       Company.








                           SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange  Act
of  1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                        STAGE STORES, INC.

July 18, 2000                           /s/ Charles M. Sledge
 (Date)                                 Charles M. Sledge
                                        Senior VP Finance, Treasurer
                                        and Secretary

EX-99.1

                                                     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 STORE CLOSING PROGRAM

     HOUSTON,  TX,  July18,  2000 - - Stage  Stores,  Inc.  today
announced  that  the  U.S.  Bankruptcy  Court  for  the  Southern
District of Texas approved the Company's plan to close 120  under
performing stores as a part of its restructuring process.
     Jack Wiesner, Chairman, interim Chief Executive Officer  and
President, commented, "As a part of our restructuring process, we
identified 470 core stores in 20 states which will serve  as  our
base  for returning the Company to profitability.  The 120 stores
we  will be closing represent stores that were not profitable  or
stores which are outside of our geographic base."
     Mr.  Wiesner continued, "In order to begin focusing  on  our
core  operations immediately, we have engaged the Ozer Group  and
Hilco  Trading Company to manage the liquidation process at these
stores  scheduled  for  closure.  Under our  agreement,  we  will
receive  a  guaranteed price for the inventory,  net  of  related
expenses, located in these stores and Ozer and Hilco will  manage
and be responsible for all aspects of the liquidation process."
      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 stores  overunder  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.

                               ###
                               ###