<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ACCOMPANYING BALANCE SHEET AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 1997 AND THE ACCOMPANYING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS, CHANGES IN EQUITY, AND CASH FLOWS FOR THE 52 WEEK PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY 1, 1997 FOR STAR MARKETS COMPANY, INC., AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-1-1997 <PERIOD-END> FEB-1-1997 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 21,815 <ALLOWANCES> 1,589 <INVENTORY> 65,550 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 92,324 <PP&E> 230,265 <DEPRECIATION> 35,569 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 453,270 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 87,401 <BONDS> 271,827 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 10,230 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 84,907 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 453,270 <SALES> 954,531 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 954,531 <CGS> 715,090 <TOTAL-COSTS> 219,492 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (13) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 28,894 <INCOME-PRETAX> (8,958) <INCOME-TAX> 378 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (9,336) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (9,336) <EPS-PRIMARY> (2,132.40) <EPS-DILUTED> (2,132.40)