<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM SUPERMARKETS GENERAL
HOLDINGS CORPORATION'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE 26
WEEKS ENDED AUGUST 3, 1996 AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF AUGUST 3, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-03-1996
<CASH>                                           9,602
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,298
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,323)
<INVENTORY>                                    207,929
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               284,296
<PP&E>                                         980,832
<DEPRECIATION>                               (380,190)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 988,627
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          463,259
<BONDS>                                      1,231,737
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          104,494
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            10
<OTHER-SE>                                 (1,239,980)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   988,627
<SALES>                                      1,955,945
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,955,945
<CGS>                                        1,374,130
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,374,130
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    72
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            (81,695)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (11,550)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,503
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (7,047)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (997)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (8,044)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0