<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET DATED APRIL 3, 1997 AND THE STATEMENT OF EARNINGS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
APRIL 3, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000805020
<NAME> UNI-MARTS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-03-1997
<CASH>                                       5,779,228
<SECURITIES>                                   477,313
<RECEIVABLES>                                3,915,740
<ALLOWANCES>                                   108,900
<INVENTORY>                                 19,016,594
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            32,629,868
<PP&E>                                     121,961,517
<DEPRECIATION>                              43,927,200
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             117,711,941
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       29,405,487
<BONDS>                                     48,152,039
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       728,591
<OTHER-SE>                                  33,690,540
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               117,711,941
<SALES>                                    169,619,513
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           170,824,628
<CGS>                                      128,150,487
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              172,323,147
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                52,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,012,756
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (1,498,519)
<INCOME-TAX>                                 (531,900)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (966,619)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (966,619)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.15)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.15)