<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 12,
          1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
          FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                                          1,000
       
                                                            
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                     OTHER<F1>
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               MAR-27-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                                  MAR-29-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                    SEP-12-1998
<CASH>                                                               34,304
<SECURITIES>                                                         20,345
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        76,774
<ALLOWANCES>                                                        (2,172)
<INVENTORY>                                                          81,210
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                    223,386
<PP&E>                                                              307,468
<DEPRECIATION>                                                    (151,444)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                      385,354
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                               163,587
<BONDS>                                                              91,800
<COMMON>                                                             22,541
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                     0
<PREFERRED>                                                               0
<OTHER-SE>                                                           98,681
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                        385,354
<SALES>                                                           1,203,524
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                  1,203,524
<CGS>                                                             1,082,154
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                     1,082,154
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                    102,008
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                        639
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                    4,040
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                      14,683
<INCOME-TAX>                                                          5,240
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                   9,443
<DISCONTINUED>                                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                                          9,443
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                           .83
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                           .83
<FN>
<F1>24-Week Period
</FN>