<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM INGLES
MARKETS, INCORPORATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 27,
1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-26-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-27-1998
<CASH>                                      25,426,481
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               19,665,174
<ALLOWANCES>                                   107,859
<INVENTORY>                                150,109,378
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           201,753,373
<PP&E>                                     980,149,745
<DEPRECIATION>                             273,143,708
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             913,777,336
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      225,617,474
<BONDS>                                    431,432,522
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,118,287
<OTHER-SE>                                 225,774,475
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               913,777,336
<SALES>                                  1,214,221,918
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         1,223,398,923
<CGS>                                      915,432,877
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              919,545,691
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            (2,384,168)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          29,406,139
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             14,821,889
<INCOME-TAX>                                 5,500,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          9,321,889
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 9,321,889
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .42