<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-06-09</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000095585</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PATHMARK STORES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PTMK</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001330611</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TOCHNER IRA L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O PATHMARK STORES, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>200 MILIK STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CARTERET</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07008</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <remarks>No securities beneficially owned.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/S/ Ira L. Tochner</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-06-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
