Exhibit 12


                             RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES




                    Thirteen Weeks Ended             Fiscal Year Ended               
                    August 30,  August 24,    May 31, May 25, May 26, May 28, May 29,
                      1998        1997         1998    1997    1996    1995    1994   

                                                           
Ratio of Earnings
  to Fixed Charges    7.29        6.70         5.63    6.54    6.94    4.10    6.18



For  purposes of  computing  the ratio of earnings  to fixed  charges,  earnings
represent  pretax income from  continuing  operations,  plus pretax  earnings or
losses of joint ventures plus fixed charges (net of capitalized interest). Fixed
charges represent  interest (whether expensed or capitalized) and one-third (the
proportion deemed  representative of the interest factor) of rents of continuing
operations.