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 THIRD QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 2, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> QTR-3 <FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-24-1996 <PERIOD-END> DEC-02-1995 <CASH> 113480 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 186382 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 896149 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1251292 <PP&E> 1546828 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 2927883 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1050193 <BONDS> 823054 <COMMON> 38229 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 762012 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2927883 <SALES> 7770282 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 7770282 <CGS> 5525246 <TOTAL-COSTS> 5525246 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 2139056 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 55281 <INCOME-PRETAX> 50669 <INCOME-TAX> 19030 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 31669 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 31669 <EPS-PRIMARY> .83 <EPS-DILUTED> .83