<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000774492 <NAME> COMMUNITY DISTRIBUTORS, INC. <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JUL-29-2000 <PERIOD-START> AUG-01-1999 <PERIOD-END> OCT-30-1999 <CASH> 325 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 5,844 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 47,692 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 55,697 <PP&E> 22,896 <DEPRECIATION> 9,914 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 103,380 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 37,679 <BONDS> 74,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> (15,201) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 103,380 <SALES> 65,773 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 65,773 <CGS> 48,153 <TOTAL-COSTS> 15,853 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,601 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,042 <INCOME-PRETAX> (1,700) <INCOME-TAX> (1,225) <INCOME-CONTINUING> (475) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (475) <EPS-BASIC> 0 <EPS-DILUTED> 0