SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                         Washington, D.C.  20549
                                FORM 10-Q



       X      	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF 
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended          November 2, 1996                      
				OR
               	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE 
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                                      
                                    
                    Commission File Number   0-17871      


                       EAGLE FOOD CENTERS, INC.
        (Exact name of registrant as specified in the charter)


             		Delaware	                     				36-3548019
    (State or other jurisdiction of			(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     incorporation or organization)

Rt. 67 & Knoxville Rd., Milan, Illinois                61264            
(Address of principal executive offices)           (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (309) 787-7700

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.	Yes   X    	No       

The number of shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, par value one cent
($0.01) per share, outstanding at November 30, 1996 was 10,865,389.




Page 1 of 7 pages
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                       PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1:	Financial Statements
                           EAGLE FOOD CENTERS, INC.
                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                                (unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Quarter Ended          Three Quarters Ended
                            	 Nov 2,      Oct 28,         Nov 2,     Oct 28,
                              1996         1995            1996       1995
<S>                        <C>          <C>            <C>         <C>
Sales	. . . . . . . . . . .$ 248,293    $ 246,201      $ 754,077   $ 740,776 
Cost of Goods Sold	 . . . .  185,523      184,365        563,616     555,415 
   Gross Margin	. . . . . .   62,770       61,836        190,461     185,361 
Operating Expenses:
   Selling, General
    & Administrative. . . .   54,037       54,798        162,524     167,683 
   Depreciation and
    Amortization. . . . . .    5,014        6,012         15,374      18,377 
Operating Income (Loss) . .    3,719        1,026         12,563        (699)
Interest Expense	 . . . . .    3,189        3,808          9,846      11,714 
Earnings (Loss) Before
 Income Tax (Benefit) and
 Extraordinary Charge . . .      530       (2,782)         2,717     (12,413)
Income Tax (Benefit). . . .        0         (139)             0        (621)
Earnings (Loss) Before
 Extraordinary Charge . . .      530       (2,643)         2,717     (11,792)
Extraordinary Charge	 . . .        0            0              0         625 
Net Earnings (Loss) . . . .$     530    $  (2,643)     $   2,717   $ (12,417)
Earnings (Loss) per Share:
Primary:
 Before Extraordinary
  Charge. . . . . . . . . .$    0.05    $   (0.24)     $    0.24   $   (1.06)
 Extraordinary Charge . . .     0.00         0.00           0.00       (0.06)
 Net Earnings (Loss). . . .$    0.05    $   (0.24)     $    0.24   $   (1.12)
Fully Diluted Net
 Earnings (Loss). . . . . .$    0.05    $   (0.24)     $    0.24   $   (1.12)
Weighted Average Shares . .11,341,000   11,176,994     11,208,000  11,125,254
</TABLE>
See notes to the consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>
                               EAGLE FOOD CENTERS, INC.
                             CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                     (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                                    (unaudited)
	                                     ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        		November 2,  February 3,
                                        		   1996   	     1996   
<S>                                       <C>         <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents. . . . . . .		$   3,450   $   1,481
  Restricted assets - marketable
   securities, at fair value . . . . . .    		8,897       8,855
  Accounts receivable. . . . . . . . . .     12,841      13,129
  Income taxes receivable. . . . . . . .   		 2,596       4,015
  Inventories. . . . . . . . . . . . . .   		84,703      80,892
  Prepaid expenses and other	. . . . . .  	   2,851	      3,745
     Total current assets. . . . . . . . 		 115,338     112,117

Property and equipment (net) . . . . . .  		118,711     136,453
Other assets:
  Deferred debt issuance costs	. . . . . 	    1,934       2,444
  Excess of cost over fair value
   of net assets acquired. . . . . . . .      2,508       2,569
  Property held for resale . . . . . . .   		14,059       9,253
  Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 		   4,710       2,442
     Total other assets. . . . . . . . .		   23,211  	   16,708
       Total assets. . . . . . . . . . . 	$ 257,260   $ 265,278
</TABLE>                                              
<TABLE>                                               
<CAPTION>                                             
                    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
<S>                                       <C>         <C>
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . .  $  47,512   $  42,025
  Payroll and associate benefits . . . .   		16,713      15,385
  Accrued liabilities. . . . . . . . . .    	16,236      18,434
  Reserve for closed stores
   and warehouse . . . . . . . . . . . . 		   3,035      17,754
  Accrued taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . .    		8,560       9,752
  Bank revolving credit facility	. . . . 	    7,486       1,992
  Current portion of long-term debt. . .		    3,406	      5,205
     Total current liabilities . . . . .  		102,948     110,547
Long-term debt:
  Senior Notes	. . . . . . . . . . . . .    100,000     100,000
  Capital lease obligations. . . . . . . 		  13,467   	  15,594
     Total long-term debt. . . . . . . .  		113,467     115,594
Other liabilities:
  Reserve for closed stores
   and warehouse . . . . . . . . . . . .      4,102       4,337
  Other deferred liabilities	. . . . . .  	  10,547	     10,879
     Total other liabilities	. . . . . .     14,649      15,216
Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $.01 par value,
   100,000 shares authorized . . . . . .        --          --
  Common stock, $.01 par value,
   18,000,000 shares authorized,
   11,500,000 shares issued. . . . . . .      		115         115 
  Capital in excess of par value	. . . .     53,336      53,336 
  Common stock in treasury, at cost,
   638,411 shares and 554,906 shares . .     (2,594)     (2,471)
  Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     		(408)       (124)	
  Retained earnings (deficit). . . . . .		  (24,253)    (26,935)	
     Total shareholders' equity. . . . .		   26,196      23,921 
       Total liabilities and
        shareholders' equity . . . . . .		$ 257,260   	 265,278 	
</TABLE>
See notes to the consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>
                         EAGLE FOOD CENTERS, INC.
                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                          (Dollars in thousands)
                                (unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            			Three Quarters Ended
                                         			Nov 2, 1996  Oct 28, 1995
<S>                                            <C>          <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net earnings (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . .   $   2,717    $ (12,417)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss)
to net cash flows from operating activities:
	Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . .    		15,374       18,377 		
 Extraordinary loss on retirement of debt. .           0          658 
	LIFO charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         850          850 		
	Deferred charges and credits. . . . . . . .     		1,773        2,333 		
	Loss on disposal of assets. . . . . . . . .       		488          458 		
Changes in assets and liabilities:
	Receivables and other assets. . . . . . . .     	   (67)       2,222 		
	Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    		(4,661)      (1,943)		
	Accounts payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . .       5,487 	      1,861 		
	Accrued and other liabilities . . . . . . .    		(3,027)      (1,680)		
	Reserve for closed stores and warehouse . .		   (11,335)	     (8,053)	
   Net cash flows from operating activities.     	 7,599        2,666 	

Cash flows from investing activities:
	Additions to property and equipment . . . .     	(5,431)      (2,633)		
	Additions to property held for resale	. . .      (4,806)         (56)		
	Purchases of marketable securities. . . . .      		(326)      (2,324)			
	Cash proceeds from dispositions of
		property and equipment . . . . . . . . . .		     3,536  	     3,966 	
   Net cash flows from investing activities.    		(7,027)      (1,047)		

Cash flows from financing activities:
	Net revolving credit borrowing (repayment).     		5,494         (214)
	Principal payments of capital lease
  obligations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    		(3,926)	     (2,749)		
	Deferred financing costs. . . . . . . . . .         		0  	      (684)	
 Purchase of treasury stock. . . . . . . . .		      (171)	          0 
   Net cash flows from financing activities.    		 1,397       (3,647)		

	Increase (decrease) in cash and
  cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . .     		1,969       (2,028)		
	Cash and cash equivalents at
  beginning of period. . . . . . . . . . . .		     1,481 	      4,096 	

	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period.		 $   3,450    $   2,068 	

	Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
		Cash paid for interest . . . . . . . . . . 		$  11,411    $  13,542 	
		Cash paid (received) for income taxes. . . 		$  (1,373)   $  (5,685)	

	Noncash investing and financing activities
		Unrealized gain (loss) on securities	. . .   $    (284)   $     348 	
</TABLE>
See notes to the consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Accounting Policies
The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in 
accordance with the summary of significant accounting policies set forth in 
the notes to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's 
Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 26, 
1996.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited financial 
statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for 
a fair statement of the results of operations and financial position for the 
interim periods presented.  Operating results for the interim periods 
presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected 
for the fiscal year ending February 1, 1997.

Weighted Average Shares
Primary and fully diluted net earnings (loss) per share is calculated by 
dividing net earnings (loss) by the total of the weighted average shares, 
assuming the dilutive effect of exercise of outstanding stock options 
computed in accordance with the treasury stock method.

Item 2:   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition 
and Results of Operations

Results of Operations
Sales for the Company's third quarter ended November 2, 1996 were 
$248.3 million, an increase of $2.1 million or 0.8% from the third quarter 
of fiscal 1995.  Same store sales for the quarter increased 0.5%.   This is
the sixth consecutive quarter in which the Company has experienced increased 
same store sales.  For the three quarters ended November 2, 1996 sales 
were $754.1 million, an increase of $13.3 million or 1.8% from the first 
three quarters of fiscal 1995.  Same store sales for the three quarters 
increased 2.9%.  There were 92 stores operating at the end of the third 
quarter in fiscal year 1996 and fiscal year 1995.

Gross margin was 25.3% of sales for the quarter ended November 2, 1996 
compared to 25.1% of sales in the comparable quarter of 1995.  For the 
three quarters ended November 2, 1996 gross margin was 25.3% of sales 
compared to 25.0% of sales for the comparable period in 1995.  Gross 
margin improvement resulted from better buying practices and improved 
product mix.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were 21.8% of sales for the 
quarter ended November 2, 1996 compared to 22.3% of sales in the 
comparable quarter of 1995.  For the three quarters ended November 2, 
1996, selling, general and administrative expenses were 21.6% of sales 
versus 22.6% of sales for the comparable period in 1995.  The decrease 
primarily reflects lower administrative and advertising expenses.  The 1995 
three quarters included $1.6 million of non-recurring charges related to a 
lease termination and severance payments.

Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased to $5.0 million or 2.0% 
of sales for the quarter ended November 2, 1996 compared to $6.0 million 
or 2.4% of sales in the same quarter in 1995.  For the three quarters ended 
November 2, 1996, depreciation and amortization expenses decreased to 
$15.4 million or 2.0% of sales compared to $18.4 million or 2.5% of sales 
for the comparable period in 1995.  The lower depreciation expense resulted 
from assets becoming fully depreciated, sale/leaseback transactions on six 
stores, and the write down of assets required by the adoption of SFAS No. 
121 "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-
Lived Assets to be Disposed Of" in 1995.

Net interest expense in the quarter ended November 2, 1996 decreased to 
$3.2 million or 1.3% of sales compared to $3.8 million or 1.5% of sales in 
the comparable quarter of 1995.  Net interest expense for the three quarters 
ended November 2, 1996 was $9.8 million or 1.3% of sales compared to 
$11.7 million or 1.6% of sales in the comparable 1995 time period.  The 
reduction in interest expense was due to decreased short term borrowings 
under the Revolving Credit Agreement.  There was $7.5 million outstanding 
against the Revolving Credit Agreement as of November 2, 1996.  The 
Company has been able to decrease its borrowings from the October 28, 
1995 balance of $21.8 million under the Revolving Credit Agreement 
primarily due to its improved results from operations and from improved 
asset management.

The third quarter of fiscal 1996 ended November 2, 1996 resulted in net 
earnings of $530,000 or $0.05 per share on a fully diluted basis compared to 
a net loss of $2.6 million or $0.24 per share in the same quarter of fiscal 
1995, an improvement of $3.2 million.  This is the third consecutive quarter 
in which the Company has had net earnings.  The three quarters ended 
November 2, 1996 resulted in net earnings of $2.7 million or $0.24 per 
share on a fully diluted basis compared to a net loss of $12.4 million or 
$1.12 per share for the same period of fiscal 1995, an improvement of $15.1 
million.  The second quarter of fiscal 1995 included an extraordinary charge 
of $625,000 related to the refinancing of the Revolving Credit Agreement.  
The earnings improvement is a result of increased sales, higher gross 
margin, and lower expense levels as compared to the same period in the 
previous year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash provided by operating activities totaled $7.6 million for the three 
quarters ended November 2, 1996 compared to cash provided of $2.7 
million in the comparable three quarters of 1995.  Cash used to meet 
seasonal inventory requirements of $4.7 million was offset by an increase in 
accounts payable of $5.5 million for the period ending November 2, 1996.

Capital expenditures for the three quarters ended November 2, 1996 totaled 
$5.4 million compared to $2.6 million in the first three quarters of 1995.  
Expenditures for property held for resale for the three quarters ended 
November 2, 1996 totaled $4.8 million compared to $56,000 in the first 
three quarters of 1995,  The Company opened one new replacement store 
during the quarter, two during the three quarters, and currently has one new 
store under construction and one major remodeling project in progress.  The 
Company completed a one-store sale/leaseback transaction during the second 
quarter with net proceeds of $3.5 million.  The Company estimates capital 
expenditures and expenditures for property held for resale to be $13.0 
million in fiscal 1996.

The termination of the Westville, Indiana warehouse lease was completed 
during the first quarter.  The Company incurred a net cash outflow of $9.1 
million for the transaction.  The transaction had no impact on earnings, as 
the cost was previously reserved, and was financed through the Company's 
Revolving Credit Agreement.

Working capital at November 2, 1996 was $12.4 million and the current 
ratio was 1.12 to 1, compared to negative $9.8 million and .92 to 1 at 
October 28, 1995 and $1.6 million or 1.01 to 1 at February 3, 1996.  There 
was $7.5 million outstanding against the Revolving Credit Agreement as of 
November 2, 1996.  

Safe Harbor Statements Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform 
Act of 1995
The statements under Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations and the other statements in this Form 
10-Q which are not historical facts are forward looking statements.  These 
forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could render 
them materially different, including, but not limited to, the effect of 
economic conditions, the impact of competitive stores and pricing, 
availability and costs of inventory, labor costs, the rate of technology 
change, the availability of capital, supply constraints or difficulties, the 
effect of the Company's accounting policies, the effect of regulatory and 
legal developments, and other risks detailed in the Company's Securities and 
Exchange Commission filings.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

None
<PAGE>



SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized:


EAGLE FOOD CENTERS, INC.



Dated:  December 6, 1996	/s/   Robert J. Kelly           
				Robert J. Kelly
				President and Chief Executive Officer



Dated:  December 6, 1996	/s/   Herbert T. Dotterer      
				Herbert T. Dotterer
				Sr. Vice President - Finance and
				Chief Financial Officer




<PAGE>