<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF J. BAKER, INC. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JULY 29, 2000
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.



                                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                               FEB-03-2001
<PERIOD-END>                                    JUL-29-2000
<CASH>                                            1,653,498
<SECURITIES>                                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    15,781,885
<ALLOWANCES>                                        225,000
<INVENTORY>                                     250,009,796
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                279,277,750
<PP&E>                                          148,126,535
<DEPRECIATION>                                   71,675,352
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  422,773,452
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            88,493,158
<BONDS>                                         237,528,131
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                               0
<COMMON>                                          7,034,138
<OTHER-SE>                                       87,278,038
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    422,773,452
<SALES>                                         360,086,373
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                360,086,373
<CGS>                                           191,305,266
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   191,305,266
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                          0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               10,149,236
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   7,817,753
<INCOME-TAX>                                      2,813,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               5,004,753
<DISCONTINUED>                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                      5,004,753
<EPS-BASIC>                                             .36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                           .35