<TABLE> <S> <C>


<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JUNE 27, 1998 AND THE RELATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR 13 AND 26 WEEKS ENDED JUNE 27, 1998
AND IS QUALIFIED ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                 0000895364
<NAME>                Duane Reade Inc.
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-26-1998             DEC-26-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-26-1998             SEP-26-1998
<CASH>                                             602                     602
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   24,554                  24,554
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                    140,028                 140,028
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               177,837                 177,837
<PP&E>                                          79,455                  79,455
<DEPRECIATION>                                (13,804)                (13,804)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 403,358                 403,358
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           67,389                  67,389
<BONDS>                                        317,904                 317,904
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           170                     170
<OTHER-SE>                                      12,382                  12,382
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   403,358                 403,358
<SALES>                                        144,472                 398,651
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               144,472                 398,651
<CGS>                                          105,362                 296,172
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  105,362                 296,172
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,115                  18,674
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  5,763                   8,549
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,763                   8,549
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                (23,600)
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,763                (15,051)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.34                  (0.94)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.31                  (0.87)
        



</TABLE>