<ARTICLE>               5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
ACCOMPANYING BALANCE SHEETS AS OF NOVEMBER 1, 1997 AND FEBRUARY 1, 1997; THE
ACCOMPANYING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE 13 WEEK AND 39 WEEK PERIODS ENDED
NOVEMBER 1, 1997 AND NOVEMBER 2, 1996; AND THE ACCOMPANYING STATEMENTS OF CASH
FLOWS FOR THE 39 WEEK PERIODS ENDED NOVEMBER 1, 1997 AND NOVEMBER 2, 1996 FOR
STAR MARKETS COMPANY, INC., AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>            1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                NOV-1-1997
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   21,989
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     69,609
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                95,844
<PP&E>                                         234,438
<DEPRECIATION>                                  48,152
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 445,594
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           86,250
<BONDS>                                        272,229
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           10,302
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      84,255
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   445,594
<SALES>                                        261,673
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               261,673
<CGS>                                          192,767
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   62,665
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (37)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,616
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,338)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        95
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,433)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,433)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                 (286.60)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 (286.60)