<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF INGLES MARKETS, INCORPORATED FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 27, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-25-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-27-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-27-1999
<CASH>                                      21,545,754
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               25,396,048
<ALLOWANCES>                                   209,492
<INVENTORY>                                161,347,290
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           212,504,717
<PP&E>                                     933,969,235
<DEPRECIATION>                             285,687,771
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             865,404,170
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      238,917,062
<BONDS>                                    361,408,784
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,118,887
<OTHER-SE>                                 218,403,891
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               865,404,170
<SALES>                                    895,518,407
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           903,257,720
<CGS>                                      675,682,558
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              678,803,760
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (912,057)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                48,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          20,688,475
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             13,084,784
<INCOME-TAX>                                 4,900,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          8,184,784
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 8,184,784
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.36