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


                         August 8, 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  the
appointment of its new President and Chief Executive Officer  and
certain other matters was issued by the Company on August 8, 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 August 8, 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.

August 8, 2000                          /s/ Charles M. Sledge
 (Date)                                 Charles M. Sledge
                                        Senior VP Finance, Treasurer
                                        and Secretary

EX-99.1

                                                    Exhibit 99.1


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                               FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                    Wendy Wall
                                                    (wendyw@vollmerpr.com)
                                                    Tony Shelton
                                                    VOLLMER  (713) 546-2230

                    STAGE STORES, INC. NAMES
            NEW PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


HOUSTON (August 8, 2000) - Stage Stores, Inc. announced today the

appointment of James Scarborough as its new president  and  chief

executive officer.

     "Jim  is  a  strong  leader who will help  the  company  re-

establish  itself as a premier retailer of brand name apparel  in

small  town  America.   Jim has a tremendous  background  in  the

retail industry and is intensely concerned about customer service

and  satisfaction," said Jack Wiesner, chairman of the  board  of

directors.  "We believe that, through his innovation,  motivation

and leadership, our company will be able to better anticipate and

meet our customers' needs."

     Scarborough's  responsibilities  will  include  the  overall

strategic,  merchandising, marketing, operational  and  financial

leadership  of  the company.  In this position, Scarborough  will

work directly with senior executives and the board of directors.

     "I'm looking forward to the challenge of making this company

prosperous again," Scarborough said.  "We have to refocus on what

has made this company successful in the first place, and that  is

delivering quality, brand-name family apparel to communities  and

small towns across America."

     Prior  to  joining Stage Stores, Scarborough served  as  the

president  and  CEO of Busy Body, Inc., a specialty  retailer  of

fitness  equipment, after holding the same positions with Seattle

Lighting, Inc.  Previously, he had served as president and  chief

operating  officer of Enstar Specialty Retail, Inc., as  well  as

serving  seven  years  in  senior  leadership  positions  in  the

merchandising organization of Bealls Department Stores, which  is

now  part of Stage Stores, Inc.  He began his retail career  with

Federated  Department  Stores  in 1972  in  its  Filene's  Boston

division.

       Since  Stage  Stores, Inc. is currently in  reorganization

under  the protection of Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy  Code,

Scarborough's employment contract will be submitted to  the  U.S.

Bankruptcy Court in Houston.

     Wiesner will continue to work with Stage in the role of non-

executive chairman of the board of directors and will oversee the

company's bankruptcy proceedings.

     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 operates more than 470 stores in 20  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.

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