<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from The Great
Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 17,
1995 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-24-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-17-1995
<CASH>                                          122785
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   188786
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     803553
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               1172060
<PP&E>                                         1554773
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 2857150
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          1059099
<BONDS>                                         737506
<COMMON>                                         38229
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      748900
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   2857150
<SALES>                                        3135514
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               3135514
<CGS>                                          2225702
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  2225702
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                862928
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               22346
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  24538
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (9988)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              14550
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     14550
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .38