<ARTICLE>                                                                 5
<LEGEND>  THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
          FROM THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SPARTAN
          STORES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 14,
          1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
          FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                                          1,000
       
                                                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                         OTHER<F1>
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               MAR-29-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                  MAR-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                                    SEP-14-1996
<CASH>                                                               33,473
<SECURITIES>                                                         15,671
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        79,964
<ALLOWANCES>                                                        (2,483)
<INVENTORY>                                                          84,054
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                    223,307
<PP&E>                                                              292,414
<DEPRECIATION>                                                    (128,043)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                      397,826
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                               169,743
<BONDS>                                                             119,044
<COMMON>                                                             24,234
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                                               0
<OTHER-SE>                                                           79,791
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                        397,826
<SALES>                                                           1,145,776
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                  1,145,776
<CGS>                                                             1,059,206
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                     1,059,206
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                     77,004
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                        318
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                    2,503<F2>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                       8,116
<INCOME-TAX>                                                          2,829
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                   5,287
<DISCONTINUED>                                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                                          5,287
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                          4.30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                          4.30
<FN>
<F1>24-week period
<F2>Net of interest income of $2,122
</FN>