<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
7, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
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<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-22-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                SEP-7-1996
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<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .94