<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE GREAT ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC TEA COMPANY, INC. 10-Q FOR THE FIRST QUARTER ENDED JUNE 15, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-22-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUN-15-1996 <CASH> 123400 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 193797 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 846164 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1212275 <PP&E> 1568580 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 2924075 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1023963 <BONDS> 779909 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 38229 <OTHER-SE> 805104 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2924075 <SALES> 3092554 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 3092554 <CGS> 2195774 <TOTAL-COSTS> 2195774 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 844037 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 20771 <INCOME-PRETAX> 31972 <INCOME-TAX> (10093) <INCOME-CONTINUING> 21879 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 21879 <EPS-PRIMARY> .57 <EPS-DILUTED> .57