<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF INGLES MARKETS, INCORPORATED FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 26, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-25-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-27-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-26-1999
<CASH>                                      19,448,378
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               25,659,762
<ALLOWANCES>                                   229,735
<INVENTORY>                                159,911,845
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           209,225,045
<PP&E>                                     944,510,484
<DEPRECIATION>                             295,945,577
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             862,356,540
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      219,650,506
<BONDS>                                    375,486,857
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,118,887
<OTHER-SE>                                 220,048,519
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               862,356,540
<SALES>                                  1,348,396,606
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         1,360,061,367
<CGS>                                    1,014,959,558
<TOTAL-COSTS>                            1,019,624,998
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            (1,659,805)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                72,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          30,332,384
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             21,331,046
<INCOME-TAX>                                 8,000,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         13,331,046
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                13,331,046
<EPS-BASIC>                                     0.59
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.59