<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 NOVEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-22-1997 <PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996 <CASH> 118026 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 206305 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 911392 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1272299 <PP&E> 1588392 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 3031931 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1058617 <BONDS> 839458 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 38222 <OTHER-SE> 830135 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3031931 <SALES> 7741303 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 7741303 <CGS> 5513504 <TOTAL-COSTS> 5513504 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 2106105 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 52804 <INCOME-PRETAX> 68890 <INCOME-TAX> 18926 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 49964 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 49964 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.31 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.31