<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE GREAT
ATLANTIC & PACIFIC TEA COMPANY, INC. 10-Q FOR THE 28 WEEK PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER
11, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-26-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-11-1999
<CASH>                                          144395
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   184588
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     779396
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               1179439
<PP&E>                                         1779205
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 3178034
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          1123311
<BONDS>                                         884576
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         38367
<OTHER-SE>                                      781242
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   3178034
<SALES>                                        5398102
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               5398102
<CGS>                                          3865212
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  3865212
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               1516232
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             (42304)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (22307)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      8139
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (14168)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (14168)
<EPS-BASIC>                                    (.37)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.37)