<ARTICLE>             5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE ACCOMPANYING
BALANCE SHEET AS OF JANUARY 30, 1999 AND THE ACCOMPANYING STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS, CHANGES IN EQUITY, AND CASH FLOWS FOR THE 52 WEEK PERIOD ENDED
JANUARY 30, 1999 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-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-30-1999
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   18,277
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,331
<INVENTORY>                                     64,914
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                87,674
<PP&E>                                         240,400
<DEPRECIATION>                                  70,645
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 412,971
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           79,278
<BONDS>                                        259,037
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           10,421
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      82,606
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   412,971
<SALES>                                      1,064,235
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,064,235
<CGS>                                          777,842
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  262,297
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    76
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              29,486
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (5,314)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       363
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (5,677)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (5,677)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                               (1,135.00)
<EPS-DILUTED>                               (1,135.00)