<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Supermarkets
General Holdings Corporation's Consolidated Statement of Operations for the 26
weeks ended August 2, 1997 and Consolidated Balance Sheet as of August 2, 1997
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-02-1997
<CASH>                                           8,698
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,267
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,306)
<INVENTORY>                                    196,710
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               275,642
<PP&E>                                         966,127
<DEPRECIATION>                               (404,212)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 961,661
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          388,360
<BONDS>                                      1,282,009
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          106,268
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            10
<OTHER-SE>                                 (1,291,812)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   961,661
<SALES>                                      1,854,307
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,854,307
<CGS>                                        1,332,384
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,332,384
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    86
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            (83,788)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (27,543)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,888
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (16,655)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (7,488)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (24,143)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0