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


                        November 4, 1999
        (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's third quarter  1999
sales results and certain other matters was issued by the Company
on November 4, 1999 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 November 4, 1999 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.

November 4, 1999                        /s/ James A. Marcum
 (Date)                                 James A. Marcum
                                        Vice Chairman and,
                                        Chief Financial Officer

EX-99.1

                                             Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT:
Bob Aronson
Director of Investor Relations
(800) 579-2302

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

       STAGE STORES, INC. REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 1999 SALES
                 ______________________________

    HOUSTON, TX, November 4, 1999 -- Stage Stores, Inc. (NYSE: SGE)
today reported sales for the third quarter ended October 30, 1999
of  $264.4  million as compared to $271.6 million  for  the  same
period  last year.  The decrease in sales primarily reflects  the
closure  of stores included in the Company's previously announced
Store  Closure  Program as well as a reduction in  the  level  of
clearance activities during the quarter.  Comparable store  sales
for the third quarter of 1999 declined 3.8%.

    Commenting on the results, Carl E. Tooker, Chairman, President
and  Chief  Executive Officer, stated, "The decline in comparable
store sales for the third quarter was driven by the reduction  in
the  level of clearance activities during the early part  of  the
quarter  this year (primarily August) as compared to  last  year.
Last  year, we liquidated our excess Spring and Summer  clearance
merchandise through aggressive promotional events which generated
artificially high sales at very low margin levels.   Due  to  our
inventory  management  initiatives  which  we  have  focused   on
throughout  the year, the level of seasonal clearance merchandise
on  hand at the beginning of the quarter was significantly  below
last  year.   The  lower  level of clearance  inventories  had  a
significant impact on our volume, and as a result, our comparable
store   sales  for  the  early  part  of  the  quarter  declined.
Comparable store sales for the remainder of the quarter  improved
and,  in fact, were basically flat with last year reflecting  the
progress  that  we  have  made  to  date  in  transitioning   our
merchandise mix."

    Mr. Tooker further stated, "During the quarter, we continued to
focus  on the mix and overall levels of our inventories and  feel
that  we  made  significant progress as  we  closed  the  quarter
towards  positioning  our inventories for the  important  holiday
selling season.  In addition, we have substantially completed our
previously announced Store Closure Program by closing 33  of  the
35  stores in the program.  The last 2 stores in the program will
close after the holiday season."

    Mr. Tooker concluded, "With respect to our working  capital
facility,  we  ended the quarter with $161.2 million  outstanding
under  the facility as compared to $180.4 million at the  end  of
the  third  quarter  of  last year and continue  to  be  in  full
compliance  with all of our financial covenants.  At  this  time,
our  earnings for the third quarter have not been finalized.   We
expect to release our earnings on November 18, 1999."

    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 operated 654 stores in 33 states at the  end
of  the  third  quarter, primarily under the  Stage,  Bealls  and
Palais Royal trade names.

    Any statements in this press 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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