<ARTICLE>         5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
ACCOMPANYING BALANCE SHEETS AS OF AUGUST 3, 1996 AND FEBRUARY 3, 1996; THE
ACCOMPANYING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE 13 WEEK AND 26 WEEK PERIODS ENDED
AUGUST 3, 1996 AND JULY 29, 1995; AND THE ACCOMPANYING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE 26 WEEK PERIODS ENDED AUGUST 3, 1996 AND JULY 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>                               AUG-03-1996
<CASH>                                             751
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,884
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,058
<INVENTORY>                                     62,215
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                97,285
<PP&E>                                         214,953
<DEPRECIATION>                                  26,956
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 454,251
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           77,879
<BONDS>                                        260,425
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           10,182
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      85,309
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   454,251
<SALES>                                        231,024
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               231,024
<CGS>                                          173,723
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   53,334
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    10
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,267
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (3,310)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        63
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (3,373)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,373)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                 (674.60)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 (674.60)