<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE GREAT
ATLANTIC & PACIFIC TEA COMPANY, INC. 10-Q FOR THE 16 WEEK PERIOD ENDED JUNE 19,
1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-26-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-19-1999
<CASH>                                          126259
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   173836
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     781489
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               1142598
<PP&E>                                         1688613
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 3045179
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          1099764
<BONDS>                                         770977
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         38325
<OTHER-SE>                                      780276
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   3045179
<SALES>                                        3113722
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               3113722
<CGS>                                          2242133
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  2242133
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                881299
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               24394
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (32326)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     12780
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (19546)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (19546)
<EPS-BASIC>                                    (.51)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.51)