<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SCHULTZ SAV-O STORES, INC. AS OF AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 5, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1 <PERIOD-TYPE> OTHER<F3> <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-28-1996 <PERIOD-START> DEC-31-1995 <PERIOD-END> OCT-05-1996 <CASH> 15,850,000 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 8,475,000<F2> <ALLOWANCES> 0<F2> <INVENTORY> 20,941,000 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 54,587,000 <PP&E> 57,622,000 <DEPRECIATION> 35,075,000 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 91,057,000 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 27,858,000 <BONDS> 3,469,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 292,000 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 44,708,000 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 91,057,000 <SALES> 345,006,000 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 345,006,000 <CGS> 289,824,000 <TOTAL-COSTS> 0<F1> <OTHER-EXPENSES> 48,085,000<F1> <LOSS-PROVISION> 0<F1> <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 668,000 <INCOME-PRETAX> 7,006,000 <INCOME-TAX> 2,697,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 4,309,000 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 4,309,000 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.90 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.90 <FN> <F3>40 weeks <F2>Net of "Allowances for doubtful accounts." <F1>Amounts included in "Other costs and expenses." </FN>