<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) 
ALBERTSON'S ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 30, 1997 
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH (B) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-02-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          90,865
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   99,364
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,000
<INVENTORY>                                  1,201,067
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,475,923
<PP&E>                                       4,622,655
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,568,015
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,714,633
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,055,093
<BONDS>                                      1,051,754
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       250,690
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,996,328
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,714,633
<SALES>                                     13,776,678
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            13,776,678
<CGS>                                       10,211,348
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               10,211,348
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              64,569
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                794,847
<INCOME-TAX>                                   301,068
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            493,779
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   493,779
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.96
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.96