<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
ACCOMPANYING BALANCE SHEET AS OF JANUARY 31, 1998 AND THE ACCOMPANYING
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS, CHANGES IN EQUITY, AND CASH FLOWS FOR THE 52 WEEK
PERIOD ENDED JANUARY 31, 1998 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>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1998
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   21,001
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,391
<INVENTORY>                                     71,524
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                96,990
<PP&E>                                         246,393
<DEPRECIATION>                                  52,692
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 452,542
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           90,147
<BONDS>                                        276,327
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           10,326
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      83,924
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   452,542
<SALES>                                      1,034,188
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,304,188
<CGS>                                          761,798
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  250,500
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (87)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,177
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (8,200)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       365
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (8,565)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (8,565)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                               (1,713.00)
<EPS-DILUTED>                               (1,713.00)