-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 YKi31YU82EFXjM9f3Vy5Dw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000006885-03-000068.txt : 20031113
<SEC-HEADER>0000006885-03-000068.hdr.sgml : 20031113
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031113174256
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000006885-03-000068
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031104
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031113

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LAIL E RANDOLPH
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001269152

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14035
		FILM NUMBER:		03999509

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		STAGE STORES INC
		STREET 2:		10201 MAIN STREET
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77025

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		STAGE STORES INC
		STREET 2:		10201 MAIN STREET
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77025

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STAGE STORES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000006885
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-FAMILY CLOTHING STORES [5651]
		IRS NUMBER:				911826900
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NV
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0130

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10201 MAIN ST
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77025
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7136675601

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10201 MAIN STREET
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77025

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	APPAREL RETAILERS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19930908

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TEXTILE DISTRIBUTORS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19690521
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-11-04</periodOfReport>


    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000006885</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>STAGE STORES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>STGS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001269152</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LAIL E RANDOLPH</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>10201 MAIN STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77025</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP &amp; COO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>30.13</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock ($0.01 par value)</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>30000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The right to exercise these options will vest over four years from November 4, 2003, with 25% vesting at the end of each of the first four years following the date of grant, and will expire on the earlier of (i) sixty days after the termination of the Officer's employment with the Company and (ii) ten years from the date of grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>E. Randolph Lail</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-11-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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