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                                                                    Exhibit 23.1


                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


                 As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
use of our report dated September 26, 1996 included in the Dart Group 
Corporation Form 8-K, dated February 20, 1997.  It should be noted that we have 
not audited any financial statements of Shoppers Food Warehouse Corp. 
subsequent to June 29, 1996 or performed any audit procedures subsequent to 
the date of our report.


                                                   Arthur Andersen LLP
                                              
Washington, DC
February 20, 1997
