<ARTICLE>              5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
ACCOMPANYING BALANCE SHEETS AS OF MAY 3, 1997 AND THE ACCOMPANYING STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS AND CASH FLOWS FOR THE 13 WEEK PERIOD ENDED MAY 3, 1997 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>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-03-1997
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   24,326
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,679
<INVENTORY>                                     66,473
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                94,268
<PP&E>                                         215,281
<DEPRECIATION>                                  38,899
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 435,604
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           72,312
<BONDS>                                        272,619
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           10,254
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      84,715
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   435,604
<SALES>                                        244,521
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               244,521
<CGS>                                          180,419
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   60,200
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   213
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,188
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (3,499)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        81
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (3,580)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,580)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                 (716.00)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 (716.00)