
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ALBERTSON'S
QUARTERLY REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED AUGUST 1, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-02-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-01-1996
<CASH>                                          76,740
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   97,188
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,250
<INVENTORY>                                  1,034,864
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,298,174
<PP&E>                                       4,347,889
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,468,028
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,349,181
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          989,178
<BONDS>                                        879,956
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       251,980
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,859,091
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,349,181
<SALES>                                      6,825,072
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             6,825,072
<CGS>                                        5,065,491
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                5,065,491
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              29,962
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                377,778
<INCOME-TAX>                                   144,689
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            233,089
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   233,089
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .93
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .93
        

</TABLE>
