<ARTICLE>           5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
ACCOMPANYING BALANCE SHEETS AS OF MAY 4, 1996 AND FEBRUARY 3, 1996 AND THE
ACCOMPANYING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CASH FLOWS FOR THE 13 WEEK PERIODS
ENDED MAY 4, 1996 AND APRIL 29, 1995 FOR STAR MARKETS COMPANY, INC., AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>        1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-04-1996
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,025
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,032
<INVENTORY>                                     55,711
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                85,026
<PP&E>                                         201,888
<DEPRECIATION>                                  23,225
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 424,528
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           60,259
<BONDS>                                        261,600
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           10,158
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      73,499
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   424,528
<SALES>                                        217,055
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               217,055
<CGS>                                          162,332
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   50,338
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    54
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,934
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (2,603)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        68
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,671)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,671)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                 (534.20)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 (534.20)