<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 14,
1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-28-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-14-1997
<CASH>                                          173894
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   225611
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     899008
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               1343975
<PP&E>                                         1596381
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 3114871
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          1009491
<BONDS>                                         937389
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         38249
<OTHER-SE>                                      870187
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   3114871
<SALES>                                        3104591
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               3104591
<CGS>                                        (2220375)
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                (2220375)
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (831210)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             (22153)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  30583
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (8066)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              22787
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     22787
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .60