WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The schedule contains summary financial information extracted from The Great
Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. 10-Q for the second quarter ended September
9, 1995 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   QTR-2
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-24-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-09-1995
<CASH>                                          132481
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   176481
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     823769
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               1192161
<PP&E>                                         1547919
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 2871040
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          1119232
<BONDS>                                         700074
<COMMON>                                         38229
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      757747
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   2871040
<SALES>                                        5476685
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               5476685  
<CGS>                                          3897770
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  3897770
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               1502170
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               38352
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  38393
<INCOME-TAX>                                     14459
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              23934
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     23934
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .63
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .63