<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE GREAT
ATLANTIC & PACIFIC TEA COMPANY, INC. 10-Q FOR THE 40 WEEK PERIOD ENDED
DECEMBER 5, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-27-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-05-1998
<CASH>                                          138949
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   214169
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     946077
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               1337430
<PP&E>                                         1690364
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 3203706
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          1050276
<BONDS>                                         910297
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         38287
<OTHER-SE>                                      886138
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   3203706
<SALES>                                        7753035
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               7753035
<CGS>                                        (5513730)
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                (5513730)
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             (2168170)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             (47839)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  23296
<INCOME-TAX>                                    (1910)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              21386
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     21386
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .56