8-K

2


               SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                     Washington, D.C.  20549


                            Form 8-K

        Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                    The Securities Act of 1934


                        December 29, 2000
        (Date of Report, date of earliest event reported)


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


                            001-14035
                    (Commission File Number)

           DELAWARE                         76-0407711
 (State or other jurisdiction    (I.R.S. Employer Identification
       of incorporation)                       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 former address, if changed since last report)


ITEM 5.  Other Events.

     A  press release regarding the Company announcing that it had
filed  a  motion with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for  the  Southern
District of Texas to close an additional 121 stores as part of its
restructuring  process was issued by the Company on  December  29,
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 December 29, 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.

January 2, 2001                         /s/ Charles M. Sledge
 (Date)                                 Charles M. Sledge
                                        Senior VP Finance,
                                         Treasurer and Secretary

EX-99.1

                                                Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE


CONTACT:
Bob Aronson
Director of Investor Relations
800-579-2302
(investorrelations@stagestoresinc.com)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

        STAGE STORES ANNOUNCES STORE CLOSING PROGRAM

     HOUSTON,  TX, December 29, 2000 - - Stage Stores,  Inc.
today  announced that it has filed a motion  with  the  U.S.
Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas to close
an  additional  121  stores as a part of  its  restructuring
process.
     Jim Scarborough, Chief Executive Officer and President,
commented, "As a part of our ongoing restructuring  process,
we  have identified 348 stores in 14 states which will serve
as  our  base  for  returning the Company to  profitability.
These stores fit the geographic and demographic profiles  we
have identified as our niche markets.  The majority of these
stores  are  in  markets where we have  a  long  history  of
operating profitably.  In fact, the performance of this core
group  of  stores has improved significantly since we  began
our restructuring process in June."
     Mr.  Scarborough continued, "In order to focus  all  of
our efforts on our core operations, we have engaged The Ozer
Group and Hilco Merchant Resources to manage the liquidation
of  the  stores scheduled for closure, subject to Bankruptcy
Court  approval.   Under our agreement, we  will  receive  a
guaranteed  recovery  for  the  inventory,  net  of  related
expenses."
      Stage Stores, Inc. brings nationally recognized  brand
name  apparel, accessories, cosmetics and footwear  for  the
entire family to small towns and communities throughout  the
south  central  and midwestern United States.   The  company
currently operates stores 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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