<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000898470
<NAME> FOOD 4 LESS, HOLDINGS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-28-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-23-1995
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          16,924
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,391
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,068)
<INVENTORY>                                    208,848
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               257,995
<PP&E>                                         547,525
<DEPRECIATION>                               (163,712)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 971,240
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          338,394
<BONDS>                                        575,358
<COMMON>                                       105,594
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   (118,105)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   971,240
<SALES>                                        623,598
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               623,598
<CGS>                                          516,430
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  516,430
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                92,764
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              19,292
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,888)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       300
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (5,188)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (5,188)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (3.74)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (3.74)