<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE GREAT ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC TEA COMPANY, INC. 10-Q FOR THE 28 WEEK PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 12, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-27-1999 <PERIOD-END> SEP-12-1998 <CASH> 107050 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 200366 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 883108 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1227419 <PP&E> 1658636 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 3062213 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1007902 <BONDS> 803916 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 38287 <OTHER-SE> 900815 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3062213 <SALES> 5408635 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 5408635 <CGS> (3849044) <TOTAL-COSTS> (3849044) <OTHER-EXPENSES> (1486707) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> (33176) <INCOME-PRETAX> 39708 <INCOME-TAX> (9588) <INCOME-CONTINUING> 30120 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 30120 <EPS-PRIMARY> .79 <EPS-DILUTED> .79