<ARTICLE>                     5

<LEGEND>

Exhibit 27

THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000


                                               
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                           3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                 FEB-28-2001
<PERIOD-END>                                      MAY-31-2000
<CASH>                                                  6,451
<SECURITIES>                                          138,503 <F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                         164,122
<ALLOWANCES>                                           27,592
<INVENTORY>                                           363,382
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                      768,209
<PP&E>                                                476,052
<DEPRECIATION>                                        190,537
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                      1,354,710
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                 278,303
<BONDS>                                               515,737
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                       0
<PREFERRED>                                                 0
<COMMON>                                              121,354
<OTHER-SE>                                            397,058
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                        1,354,710
<SALES>                                               418,786
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                      476,063
<CGS>                                                 275,731
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                         275,731
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                            0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       20,647
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                     11,275
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                         4,551
<INCOME-TAX>                                            1,624
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                     2,927
<DISCONTINUED>                                              0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                             0
<CHANGES>                                              18,014
<NET-INCOME>                                          (15,087)
<EPS-BASIC>                                           (0.25) <F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                           (0.25)



<FN>
<F1> Represents retained interest in securitized receivables
<F2> Represents basic earnings per share
</FN>