<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM INGLES
MARKETS, INCORPORATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER
27, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-26-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-27-1997
<CASH>                                      24,664,750
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               22,325,483
<ALLOWANCES>                                   112,431
<INVENTORY>                                141,758,248
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           193,133,083
<PP&E>                                     889,270,514
<DEPRECIATION>                             250,621,272
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             840,004,367
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      195,970,883
<BONDS>                                    394,410,225
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,093,187
<OTHER-SE>                                 221,460,494
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               840,004,367
<SALES>                                    403,048,256
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           405,700,431
<CGS>                                      305,527,353
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              306,750,319
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (201,267)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           9,049,595
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              4,615,005
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,775,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          2,840,005
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 2,840,005
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .13