Sec Form 4 Filing - STASYSZEN RICHARD E @ STAGE STORES INC - 2012-08-31

FORM 4 Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Section 17(a) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

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1. Name and Address of Reporting Person STASYSZEN RICHARD E 2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol STAGE STORES INC [ SSI] 5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer (Check all applicable) _____ Director _____ 10% Owner X __ Officer (give title below) _____ Other (specify below) SVP, Finance and Controller (Last) (First) (Middle) 10201 MAIN STREET 3. Date of Earliest Transaction (MM/DD/YY) 08/31/2012 (Street) HOUSTON, TX77025 4. If Amendment, Date Original Filed (MM/DD/YY) 6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line) __ X __ Form filed by One Reporting Person _____ Form filed by More than One Reporting Person (City) (State) (Zip)

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned 1.Title of Security (Instr. 3) 2. Transaction Date (MM/DD/YY) 2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (MM/DD/YY) 3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4) 6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4) Code V Amount (A) or (D) Price Common Stock 08/31/2012 A 29 ( 1 ) A $ 21.4512 18,201 D Common Stock 08/31/2012 M 3,000 A $ 9.77 21,201 D Common Stock 08/31/2012 S 3,000 ( 2 ) D $ 21.3645 ( 3 ) 18,201 D Common Stock 09/04/2012 M 6,750 A $ 19.18 24,951 D Common Stock 09/04/2012 S 6,750 ( 2 ) D $ 21.5589 ( 4 ) 18,201 D

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned ( e.g. , puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities) 1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3) 2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security 3. Transaction Date (MM/DD/YY) 3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (MM/DD/YY) 4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4, and 5) 6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (MM/DD/YY) 7. Title and Amount of Underlying Securities (Instr. 3 and 4) 8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5) 9. Number of Derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4) 10. Ownership Form of Derivative Security: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4) Code V (A) (D) Date Exercisable Expiration Date Title Amount or Number of Shares Stock Appreciation Rights $ 9.77 08/31/2012 M 3,000 03/27/2012 03/27/2016 Common Stock 3,000 $ 0 46,050 D Stock Appreciation Rights $ 19.18 09/04/2012 M 1,687 03/17/2007 03/17/2013 Common Stock 1,687 $ 0 44,363 D Stock Appreciation Rights $ 19.18 09/04/2012 M 1,688 03/17/2008 03/17/2013 Common Stock 1,688 $ 0 42,675 D Stock Appreciation Rights $ 19.18 09/04/2012 M 1,687 03/17/2009 03/17/2013 Common Stock 1,687 $ 0 40,988 D Stock Appreciation Rights $ 19.18 09/04/2012 M 1,688 03/27/2010 03/17/2013 Common Stock 1,688 $ 0 39,300 D

Reporting Owners Reporting Owner Name / Address Relationships Director 10% Owner Officer Other STASYSZEN RICHARD E 10201 MAIN STREET HOUSTON, TX77025 SVP, Finance and Controller Signatures /s/ Richard E. Stasyszen 09/05/2012 Signature of Reporting Person Date

Explanation of Responses:

( 1 )These shares, which were acquired pursuant to the Stage Stores Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Plan"), may not be transferred to an alternative investment within the Plan or liquidated by the reporting person and will remain in the reporting person's account until such date as the reporting person is no longer an employee of the issuer and for a period of six months thereafter, at which time they will be transferred to the reporting person. ( 2 )This sale was made pursuant to a pre-established, written plan for trading securities pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 adopted by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. ( 3 )Reflects the weighted average sale price. Prices ranged from $21.26 to $21.50. The Reporting Person undertakes to provide upon request by the Commission staff, the Issuer, or a security holder of the Issuer, full information regarding the number of shares sold at each separate price. ( 4 )Reflects the weighted average sale price. Prices ranged from $21.50 to $21.67. The Reporting Person undertakes to provide upon request by the Commission staff, the Issuer, or a security holder of the Issuer, full information regarding the number of shares sold at each separate price.

Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.

* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4(b)(v).

** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations. See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).

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