<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