<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ACCOMPANYING BALANCE SHEETS AS OF AUGUST 1, 1998 AND JANUARY 31, 1998; THE ACCOMPANYING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE 13 WEEK AND 26 WEEK PERIODS ENDED AUGUST 1, 1998 AND AUGUST 2, 1997; AND THE ACCOMPANYING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE 26 WEEK PERIODS ENDED AUGUST 1, 1998 AND AUGUST 2, 1997 FOR STAR MARKETS COMPANY, INC., AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-30-1999 <PERIOD-END> AUG-01-1998 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 17,736 <ALLOWANCES> 1,398 <INVENTORY> 67,224 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 90,150 <PP&E> 234,823 <DEPRECIATION> 61,036 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 422,607 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 78,923 <BONDS> 0 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 10,374 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 46,248 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 422,067 <SALES> 268,682 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 268,682 <CGS> 195,771 <TOTAL-COSTS> 67,755 <OTHER-EXPENSES> (17) <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 7,401 <INCOME-PRETAX> (2,228) <INCOME-TAX> 96 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (2,324) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (2,324) <EPS-PRIMARY> (470.80) <EPS-DILUTED> (470.80)