
<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
ALBERTSON'S QUARTERLY REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
OCTOBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-02-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1996
<CASH>                                          62,393
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  101,675
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,250
<INVENTORY>                                  1,179,493
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,429,253
<PP&E>                                       4,506,082
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,513,973
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,586,233
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,057,071
<BONDS>                                      1,003,592
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       251,523
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,908,970
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,586,233
<SALES>                                     10,200,843
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            10,200,843
<CGS>                                        7,572,925
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                7,572,925
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              46,065
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                550,264
<INCOME-TAX>                                   210,751
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            339,513
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   339,513
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.35
        

</TABLE>
