<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE GREAT
ATLANTIC & PACIFIC TEA COMPANY, INC. 10-Q FOR THE 40 WEEK PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER
4, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-26-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-04-1999
<CASH>                                          105984
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   224116
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     861170
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               1264303
<PP&E>                                         1839926
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 3324054
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          1194093
<BONDS>                                         951298
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         38367
<OTHER-SE>                                      799080
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   3324054
<SALES>                                        7730230
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               7730230
<CGS>                                          5521052
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  5521052
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               2136436
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             (62612)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  14738
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (7552)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               7186
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      7186
<EPS-BASIC>                                      .19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .19