Phar-Mor Inc. and some of its affiliates on Monday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the second time the discount drugstore chain has gone into bankruptcy court since 1992.

As part of its restructuring, Phar-Mor plans to close about 65 of its 139 stores over the next several weeks. It intends to operate the remaining stores, while reducing corporate costs.

The company did not say which stores will close. Spokesman Gary Holmes Robinson said that information will be filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in about a week. (Phar-Mor has a store at Hermitage Towne Plaza.)

Phar-Mor also has not disclosed how many employees will lose their jobs, but the total will likely exceed 1,000. A typical Phar-Mor store has 10 to 15 full-time employees plus part-time workers. Presently, Phar-Mor has 6,125 employees, and about 3,600 of those work full time.

Phar-Mor is seeking the court's supervision while it restructures with $135 million of financing through Fleet Retail Finance, Phar-Mor's primary secured lender.

Abbey Butler and Melvyn Estrin, Phar-Mor's co-chairmen and co-chief executives, blamed a slowing economy, changes in consumer buying and increased competition from larger retail chains for the filing.

"The company plans to quickly emerge from bankruptcy with a strong regional presence in its core markets of operation," they said in a statement.

"After weighing all the options, we believe that this broad restructuring is the best and most reliable way to position Phar-Mor for future stability, growth and success," said David Schwartz, Phar-Mor president and chief operating officer.

An approved Chapter 11 filing allows a company to continue to operate its business and manage its assets in the ordinary course of business.

Phar-Mor operates in 24 states under the names Phar-Mor, Pharmhouse and The Rx Place.

When Youngstown-based Phar-Mor filed for Chapter 11 protection on Aug. 17, 1992, it had 25,000 employees and more than 300 stores in 33 states. It stayed in bankruptcy until September 1995.

The company's financial problems were disclosed in 1992 when executives uncovered $1.1 billion in insider embezzlement. Founding president Michael I. Monus was convicted of numerous felonies.