<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
supplemental combined balance sheet as of December 27, 1997 and the supplemental
combined statement of operations for the year ended December 27, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                         0000909990
<NAME>                           WILD OATS MARKETS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                       1,000
<CURRENCY>                                           USD

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                     12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                            DEC-27-1997
<PERIOD-START>                               DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                 DEC-27-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                        1
<CASH>                                            46,822
<SECURITIES>                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      1,355
<ALLOWANCES>                                         214
<INVENTORY>                                       28,082
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                  79,213
<PP&E>                                            89,742
<DEPRECIATION>                                    24,171
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   190,752
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                             46,647
<BONDS>                                            4,157
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                            0
<COMMON>                                              22
<OTHER-SE>                                       136,675
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     190,752
<SALES>                                          431,974
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 431,974
<CGS>                                            301,644
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    301,644
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 113,638
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     273
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   622
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   15,797
<INCOME-TAX>                                       5,501
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               10,296
<DISCONTINUED>                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0
<CHANGES>                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                      10,296
<EPS-BASIC>                                         0.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                       0.53