<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE THIRD QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 7, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000352949
<NAME> FLEMING COMPANIES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-07-1995
<CASH>                                           4,750
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  403,326
<ALLOWANCES>                                    49,497
<INVENTORY>                                  1,153,673
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,597,418
<PP&E>                                       1,473,398
<DEPRECIATION>                                 535,960
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,216,678
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,315,571
<BONDS>                                      1,268,745
<COMMON>                                        94,152
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     995,766
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,216,678
<SALES>                                     13,351,305
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            13,351,305
<CGS>                                       12,290,313
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               13,114,303
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                24,344
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             135,046
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 77,612
<INCOME-TAX>                                    39,660
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             37,952
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    37,952
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.01