<ARTICLE>              5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
ACCOMPANYING BALANCE SHEETS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 1998 AND FEBRUARY 1, 1997; THE
ACCOMPANYING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE 13 WEEK AND 39 WEEK PERIODS ENDED
OCTOBER 31, 1998 AND NOVEMBER 1, 1997; AND THE ACCOMPANYING STATEMENTS OF CASH
FLOWS FOR THE 39 WEEK PERIODS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1998 AND NOVEMBER 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                             861
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   18,702
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,547
<INVENTORY>                                     70,333
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                93,580
<PP&E>                                         238,222
<DEPRECIATION>                                  66,177
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 422,776
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           82,179
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           10,397
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      44,566
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   422,776
<SALES>                                        266,756
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               266,756
<CGS>                                          196,551
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   64,107
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  (15)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,361
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (1,248)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       104
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (1,352)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,352)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                 (270.46)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 (270.46)