<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE GREAT
ATLANTIC & PACIFIC TEA COMPANY, INC. 10-Q FOR THE 12 AND 28 WEEKS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 9, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-24-2001
<PERIOD-END> SEP-09-2000
<CASH> 96394
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 191032
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 801034
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 1166277
<PP&E> 1976000
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 3363026
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1133815
<BONDS> 1055561
0
0
<COMMON> 38347
<OTHER-SE> 800357
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 3363026
<SALES> 2439534
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 2439534
<CGS> 1735281
<TOTAL-COSTS> 1735281
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 691844
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 22132
<INCOME-PRETAX> (8297)
<INCOME-TAX> 2923
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (5374)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (5374)
<EPS-BASIC> (.14)
<EPS-DILUTED> (.14)
</TABLE>