SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                     
                          WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                     
                                 FORM 10-Q
                                     
                                     
                                     
             QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                      SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                                     
                                     
   For Quarter Ended September 30, 1997 Commission File Number 33-68958
                                     
                   Specialty Foods Acquisition Corporation
          (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                                     
                                     
                  State of Delaware                 75-2488183
               (State or other jurisdiction       (I.R.S. Employer
             of incorporation or organization)    Identification No.)


25 Tri-State International Office Center, Suite 250, Lincolnshire, IL 60069
(Address of principal executive offices)                        (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (847) 267-1001
                                     
                                     
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 and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes      X       No
                                     
                                                                         

                                     
The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's common stock as of
November 4, 1997 was 62,920,885 shares of common stock.



<PAGE>

SPECIALTY FOODS ACQUISITION CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                   Page No.

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    

         Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
            as of September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996            3

         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
            three- and nine- month periods ended
            September 30, 1997 and 1996                               4

         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the 
            nine-month periods ended September 30, 1997 and 1996      5

         Notes to Financial Statements                              6-8

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
         CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS                       9-12

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION                                          13

SIGNATURE                                                            14



This Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the federal securities laws which reflect the Company's
expectations and are based on currently available information.  Actual
results, performance, achievements or other information may vary materially
from such statements and are subject to future known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and events, including, among other factors, weather, economic
and market conditions, cost and availability of raw materials, competitive
activities and other business conditions.
                                     
<PAGE>


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

         SPECIALTY FOODS ACQUISITION CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                     
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                     
                             ($ In thousands)
                                     
                                     
                                           September 30,      December 31,
                                               1997               1996
                                            ---------           --------
                                           (unaudited)
                
         ASSETS                        
<S>                                       <C>               <C>       
Current assets:                                     
  Cash and cash equivalents                $   1,180         $   37,509
  Accounts receivable, net                    36,651             32,368
  Inventories                                125,698            123,391
  Net assets of discontinued operations            -             66,434
  Other current assets                        11,750             27,405
                                            ---------          ---------
          Total current assets               175,279            287,107
                                                    
Property, plant, and equipment, net          280,076            256,529
Intangible assets, net                        23,574             24,109
Other noncurrent assets                       36,257             37,067
                                           ---------          ---------
          Total assets                     $ 515,186         $  604,812
                                           =========          =========
                                                                     
  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                 
                                                                     
Current liabilities:                                                 
  Current maturities of long-term debt     $   3,377         $    4,049
  Accounts payable                           107,912            118,692
  Accrued expenses                            75,776            106,631
                                           ---------          ---------
          Total current liabilities          187,065            229,372
                                                    
Long-term debt                             1,183,029          1,177,018
Other noncurrent liabilities                  37,248             37,945
                                           ---------          --------- 
          Total liabilities                1,407,342          1,444,335
                                                     
Redeemable preferred stock                    19,500                  -
                                                    
Stockholders' equity                        (911,656)          (839,523)
                                           ---------          ---------
          Total liabilities and           
            stockholders' equity           $ 515,186         $  604,812
                                           =========          =========

</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

            SPECIALTY FOODS ACQUISITION CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                     
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                     
                                  (Unaudited)
                     ($ In thousands, except share data)


                              Three months ended September 30,    Nine months ended September 30,
                              ---------------------------------------------------------------------                              
                                      1997           1996              1997            1996
                                     ------         ------            ------          ------          
<S>                               <C>           <C>             <C>             <C>        
Net sales                          $  403,475    $  429,737      $ 1,168,910     $ 1,210,263
Cost of sales                         284,621       319,792          829,359         888,216
                                    ---------     ---------        ---------       ---------
     Gross profit                     118,854       109,945          339,551         322,047
                                    ---------     ---------        ---------       ---------  
    
Operating expenses:                                                
  Selling, distribution, general
    and administrative                 98,047        93,029          290,771      284,301
  Amortization of intangibles             585         3,276            1,765        9,527
                                    ---------     ---------        ---------     --------
   Total operating expenses            98,632         96,305         292,536      293,828 
                                                                    
   Operating profit                    20,222         13,640          47,015       28,219
                                                                      
Other expenses:                                                    
  Interest expense                     34,347         33,689         101,646      100,739
  Other (income) expense, net           3,643          3,275           8,308       (1,982)     
                                    ---------      ---------       ---------     --------
   Loss before income taxes           (17,768)       (23,324)        (62,939)     (70,538)
                                                                    
Provision for income taxes                403            931             836        3,463
                                    ---------      ---------       ---------     ---------
   Loss from continuing operations    (18,171)       (24,255)        (63,775)     (74,001)
 
                                                                    
Discontinued operations:                                           
  Net income (loss)                         -           3,250         (1,896)        5,428
  Loss on disposal, net                  (556)              -         (6,501)            -
                                    ---------       ---------       ---------      ---------                    
                                         (556)          3,250         (8,397)        5,428 
                                                                    
           Net loss              $    (18,727)     $  (21,005)    $  (72,172)    $ (68,573)
                                    =========       =========       =========     ========           
                                                                    
                                                                    
Earnings (loss) per share:                                         
From continuing                  $      (0.29)     $    (0.38)    $    (1.01)    $   (1.16)
From discontinued operations            (0.01)           0.05          (0.13)         0.09
                                    ---------        ---------      ---------     ---------
    Net loss                     $      (0.30)     $    (0.33)    $    (1.14)    $   (1.07)
                                    ---------        ---------      ---------     ---------
Weighted average shares
     outstanding                       62,921          63,485         63,110        63,692
                                    =========       =========       =========     =========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.

<PAGE>                                     

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         SPECIALTY FOODS ACQUISITION CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                (Unaudited)
                             ($ In thousands)
                                     
                                       
                                             Nine months ended September 30,
                                                   1997             1996
                                                   ----             ----
<S>                                          <C>               <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:              
 Loss from continuing operations              $  (63,775)       $  (74,001)
 Adjustments to reconcile to net cash
 from continuing operating activities
     Depreciation and amortization                26,436            36,739
     Debt issuance cost amortization               4,590             4,551
     Accretion of interest                        31,889            28,292
     Changes in operating assets and                  
      liabilities, net of affects from
      businesses acquired or sold                (34,530)          (14,762)
                                                 --------          --------
          Net cash used by                         
            continuing operations                (35,390)          (19,181)
                                                   
Cash flows from investing activities:              
 Proceeds from divestitures of businesses         55,784             5,343
 Capital expenditures                            (50,861)          (38,616)
 Property related insurance proceeds                   -            15,000
 Proceeds from sale-leaseback of equipment             -            17,941
                                                 --------          --------
          Net cash provided (used) by              
            investing activities                   4,923              (332)
                                                   
Cash flows from financing activities:              
 Increase (decrease) in revolving credit         (22,900)            2,400
 Issuance of preferred stock and warrants         19,500                 -
 Payments on long-term debt                       (2,424)           (1,747)
 Other                                               (38)           (6,285)
                                                 --------          --------
         Net cash used by                         
            financing activities                  (5,862)           (5,632)
                                                   
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents            (36,329)          (25,145)
Cash - beginning of period                        37,509            17,332
                                                 --------          -------- 
Cash - end of period                           $   1,180        $   (7,813)
                                                 ========          ========
                                     
</TABLE>
                                     
See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.
<PAGE>   

                     NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   
                     ($ in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 1 - Interim Financial Information

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim
condensed financial information of Specialty Foods Acquisition
Corporation (SFAC) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the
Company) contains all adjustments, consisting only of those of a
recurring nature, necessary to present fairly the Company's
financial position and results of operations.  All significant
intercompany accounts, transactions and profits have been eliminated.

These financial statements are for interim periods and do not
include all information normally provided in annual financial
statements and should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 1996
included in the annual report filed on Form 10-K.  The results of
operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of
the results that may be expected for the full year.

Certain amounts in the 1996 financial statements have been reclassified to
conform to the manner in which the 1997 financial statements
have been presented.


NOTE 2 - Inventories

The components of inventories are as follows:
   
                                    September 30,      December 31,
                                        1997               1996
                                    ------------       ------------   
     Raw materials and packaging    $   20,999         $   20,942
     Work in progress                   52,640             54,676
     Finished goods                     49,701             46,782
     Other                               2,358                991
                                      --------           --------
                                    $  125,698         $  123,391
                                      ========           ========   


Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market.   Cost  is
determined principally by the first-in first-out ("FIFO") method.
<PAGE>      
   
NOTE 3 - Discontinued Operations

Discontinued operations consist of the following businesses:

     Bloch and Guggenheimer, Inc.  (B&G)/Burns & Ricker, Inc.
     (B&R) - Pickle, pepper, and specialty snack food businesses
     operated under common management.  The sale of the combined
     business of B&R/B&G was completed on December 27, 1996.

     Gai's Seattle French Baking Company (Gai's) - A restaurant
     and institutional bakery operation serving the northwestern
     United States.  The sale of Gai's was completed on February 24, 1997.

     San Francisco French Bread (SFFB) - A sourdough hearth bread
     operation located in California.  The sale of SFFB was completed
     on March 31, 1997.

     A restaurant and institutional bakery operated by Metz
     located in Illinois.  The sale of this bakery was completed on
     August 23, 1997.

These divestitures have been reported as discontinued operations
in the accompanying financial statements in accordance with
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30.  Operating results
for these businesses, including revenues of $64,741 and $289,039
for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996,
respectively, have been classified as discontinued operations in
the Consolidated Statement of Operations.  No interest expense
has been allocated to discontinued operations.

The net loss on disposal of discontinued operations for the nine
months ended September 30, 1997 consisted of the gain realized on
the sale of Gai's, the loss realized on the disposal of SFFB, the
loss on disposal of the Illinois restaurant and institutional
bakery, and 1997 operating losses for the three entities.
Remaining retained liabilities from discontinued operations are
$3,096 and are included with accrued liabilities at September 30,
1997.


NOTE 4 - Related Party Transactions

In June 1997, pursuant to an agreement among the Company, Acadia
Partners LLP, Haas Wheat Advisory Partners Incorporated and
Keystone, Inc. (the signing shareholders), the signing
shareholders purchased a total of 19,500 units of equity for an
aggregate purchase price of $19,500.  Each unit is comprised of
one share of cumulative preferred stock of the Company and one
warrant to purchase 395.1 shares of common stock of the Company,
at an exercise price of $0.02 per share.
<PAGE>

The shares of preferred stock are in the aggregate face amount of
$19.5 million and are entitled to an annual dividend rate of 16%.
Presently, no dividends can be declared or paid since such
declaration or payment would cause or result in a default of
outstanding debt instruments of the Company.  The preferred stock
is cumulative, non-convertible, non-participating and non-
redeemable by the holder or the Company prior to August 16, 2006.
Thereafter, any holder or the Company may redeem all or a portion
of the preferred stock provided that such redemption would not
cause or result in a default in any outstanding debt instrument
of the Company or its subsidiaries at such time.


NOTE 5- Earnings Per Share

In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
adopted the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128,
"Earnings Per Share".  The Statement is effective for financial
statements issued for periods ending after December 15, 1997 and
specifies new standards for the computation and presentation of
earnings per share.  The Company's adoption of this standard will
result in the dual presentation of "basic" and "diluted" earnings
per share on the face of the Company's income statement.  Diluted
earnings per share calculated using the new standard is not
expected to materially differ from primary earnings per share
previously presented.

<PAGE>
                                
ITEM 2.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                

POTENTIAL SALE OF BUSINESS

In a press release issued July 29, 1997, the Company announced
that it had retained an investment banking firm to advise it in
connection with the potential sale of its Stella Foods
subsidiary.  The Company expects to reach a final decision
regarding the potential divestiture by year-end.  Stella sales
account for approximately 45 percent of the Company's 1997
revenues.  If the divestiture is carried out, the Company intends
to use a portion of the net proceeds from a sale of Stella to
reduce outstanding indebtedness with the balance to be used for
acquisitions in the Company's Bakery Operations.  The net
proceeds from a sale of Stella will equal the gross sales price
less approximately $75 million of funds required to (x)
repurchase Stella's trade receivables from the Company's Accounts
Receivable Facility, (y) repurchase certain machinery and
equipment leased by Stella and (z) pay transaction costs.  The
sale of Stella would require amendments to the Company's Term
Loan Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility as well as its
Accounts Receivable Facility.  Given the preliminary nature of
this divestiture effort, there can be no assurance that the
Company will elect to complete this divestiture.


SEASONALITY

The Company's businesses are moderately seasonal with lower
sales, operating profit, and cash flows generally occurring in
the first quarter of the year.  This seasonality is due primarily
to higher bread sales in the summer months and higher cheese
sales in the fall and winter holiday season.



RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

COMPARISON OF THIRD QUARTER 1997 TO THIRD QUARTER 1996

Consolidated net sales from continuing operations decreased 6% to
$403 million in 1997 compared to $430 million in 1996.  Net sales
of the Bakery Operations increased $1 million to $174 million in
1997  primarily due to higher cafe sales at Boudin Bakeries.  Net
sales of the Cheese and Meat Operations, consisting of Stella and
H&M Food Systems Company, decreased $28 million (11%) to $229
million. This sales decline was attributed to Stella and related
to market driven price decreases on formula priced products
reflecting a decrease in the cost of milk in 1997.

The Company's gross profit margin increased to 29.5% in 1997 from
25.6% in 1996 primarily due to productivity improvements
attributed to capital projects and higher margins on fixed price
products in both Cheese and Bakery Operations as a result of
lower commodity costs offset by tighter margins on market priced
products in the Company's Cheese Operations.

Selling, distribution, and general and administrative expenses
increased $5 million in 1997 to $98 million primarily due to
contractual wage and fringe benefit increases in the Bakery
Operations and higher rental expense related to additional cafe
sites at Boudin Bakeries.

Other expense, net was $4 million in 1997 compared to $3 million
in 1996 and consists principally of discount expense on the
Company's accounts receivable facility.

<PAGE>

As a result of the above factors, net loss from continuing
operations decreased to $18 million in 1997 compared to $24
million in 1996.

The Company reports minimal state income tax and no federal
income tax due to its net operating loss position for tax purposes.


        NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 COMPARED TO
               NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                
Consolidated net sales from continuing operations decreased 3% to
$1.169 billion in 1997 compared to $1.211 billion in 1996.
Excluding the impact of a divested plant and business line, net
sales decreased by $25 million during this period.  Net sales of
the Bakery Operations decreased $7 million (1%) to $493 million
in 1997.  The decrease was primarily due to the loss of sales
from an operation that was divested in August, 1996, partially
offset by price increases taken to partially recover increased
ingredient and operating costs and higher cafe sales at Boudin
Bakeries.  Net sales of the Cheese and Meat Operations,
consisting of Stella and H&M, decreased $35 million (5%) to $676
million. Net sales at H&M increased $15 million (11%) due to
improved sales volume and favorable commodity prices.  Net sales
at Stella decreased $50 million (9%) primarily due to market
driven price decreases on its formula priced products reflecting
a decrease in the cost of milk in 1997.

The Company's gross profit margin increased to 29.0% in 1997 from
26.6% in 1996 primarily due to productivity improvements and
favorable commodity price impacts, partially offset by increased
rental expense incurred as a result of sale leaseback
transactions involving equipment at several of the Company's
facilities.

Selling, distribution, and general and administrative expenses
increased $6 million (2%) in 1997 to $291 million primarily due
to contractual wage and fringe benefit increases offset by a
reduction in general and administrative expense principally
related to lower costs at the Company's headquarters unit.

Other (income) expense, net was $8 million of expense in 1997
compared to $2 million of income in 1996.  The net other income
in 1996 results primarily from the excess of replacement cost
over book value and lost operating profit included in the
insurance claim related to the Stella fire.

As a result of the above factors, net loss from continuing
operations decreased to $64 million in 1997 compared to $74
million in 1996.

The Company reports minimal state income tax and no federal
income tax due to its net operating loss position for tax
purposes.

<PAGE>

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Net cash used in operating activities during the third quarter of
1997 totaled $35 million.  The increase in net cash used in
operating activities in 1997 was primarily attributable to the
net increase in the Company's working capital accounts.   Working
capital requirements have increased in 1997 primarily as a result
of the lower accounts payable levels resulting from the Company's
effort to normalize relations with suppliers, increased accounts
receivable resulting from reduced levels of  financings through
the Company's accounts receivable facility, and a reduction of
accrued liabilities.  In 1996, cash used by operating activities
of $19 million was principally driven by the Company's aggressive
working capital management, and substantially offset by lower operating
profit and cash expenditures resulting from the Stella fire that had not
yet been recovered from the Company's insurance carriers.

Net cash provided by investing activities totaled $5 million in
1997.  The activity in 1997 was primarily attributable to the net
proceeds from the sale of SFFB, Gai's, and the Illinois
restaurant and institutional bakery, offset by increased capital
expenditures.  In 1996, cash used by investing activities was
nominal as the proceeds from the sale-leaseback of equipment and
property related proceeds from Stella's insurance claim were
offset by capital expenditures.

Net cash used in financing activities amounted to $6 million in
1997 principally due to a decrease in revolving credit
borrowings, partially offset by the issuance of redeemable
preferred stock.  In 1996, cash used by financing activities of
$6 million reflected the impact of normal payments on long-term
debt, payments of debt issuance costs and the repurchase from
former executives of the Company of senior secured debentures and
common stock, offset by increased revolving credit borrowings.

Based upon the above, the net decrease in cash in 1997 and 1996
was $36 million and $25 million, respectively.

As of September 30, 1997, the Company had a cash balance of $1
million.  Additionally, the Company had borrowed $55 million
under its $125 million Revolving Credit Facility on such date.
Outstanding letters of credit also reduced available funds under
the facility by $19 million at that time.  Management believes
that these funds along with operating cash flows and net proceeds
from asset sales should be adequate to fund the Company's short
term obligations, although there can be no assurances that cash
flow will be adequate to meet such obligations.  Additionally,
the Company will also consider refinancing and additional asset
sales to address future liquidity and capital structure issues.
For example, the Company recently announced that it had retained
an investment banking firm to advise it in connection with a
potential sale of its Stella Foods subsidiary.  In any case, the
Company expects that by the year 2000 it will be required to
refinance a significant portion of its indebtedness.  Other than
a potential reduction of indebtedness upon a sale of Stella, the
Company has no current refinancing plans.

The Company has been in compliance with the effective financial
covenants of the Term Loan Facility and Revolving Credit Facility
for all three quarters of 1997.  Whether or not Stella is sold,
financial covenants for 1998 will need to be amended.  Management
is currently in discussion with its agent bank regarding this
issue and anticipates a satisfactory amendment for 1998.

<PAGE>

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" constitute
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal
securities laws which reflect the Company's expectations and are
based on currently available information.  Actual results,
performance, achievements or other information may vary
materially from such statements and are subject to future known
and unknown risks, uncertainties and events, including, among
other factors, weather, economic and market conditions, cost and
availability of raw materials, competitive activities or other
business conditions.



PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 4:  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None.


Item 6:  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)  See Exhibit Index filed herewith.

(b)   The  Company did not file a report on Form 8-K  during  the
third quarter of 1997.

<PAGE>
                                
                                
                            SIGNATURE
                                
                                
Pursuant  to the requirements of the Securities Exchange  Act  of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed  on
its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


             SPECIALTY FOODS ACQUISITION CORPORATION
                          (Registrant)
                                
                                
                                   By:


Date:  November 4, 1997            /s/ Robert L. Fishbune
                                   Robert L. Fishbune
                                   Vice President and
                                     Chief Financial Officer



                          EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit
Number
Description of Document

27*       Financial Data Schedule


__________

*Filed Herewith.