<ARTICLE> 5 <CIK> 0000880120 <NAME> GENERAL NUTRITION COMPANIES, INC. <PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR <FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-01-1997 <PERIOD-START> JAN-31-1996 <PERIOD-END> FEB-01-1997 <CASH> 0 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 58,711 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 198,361 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 293,473 <PP&E> 175,352 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 779,355 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 159,785 <BONDS> 377,885 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 913 <OTHER-SE> 239,311 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 782,650 <SALES> 990,845 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 990,845 <CGS> 614,875 <TOTAL-COSTS> 614,875 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 17,341 <INCOME-PRETAX> 43,006 <INCOME-TAX> 39,071 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 3,935 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 3,935 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.05 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.05