<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)