<ARTICLE> 5 <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-26-1998 <PERIOD-END> JAN-25-1998 <CASH> 21,805 <SECURITIES> 146,121 <RECEIVABLES> 190,092 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 162,512 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 459,987 <DEPRECIATION> 183,141 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 956,341 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 0 <COMMON> 36,475 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 488,223 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 956,341 <SALES> 2,208,163 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 2,208,163 <CGS> 1,784,634 <TOTAL-COSTS> 2,098,746 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 348 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,677 <INCOME-PRETAX> 130,870 <INCOME-TAX> 50,655 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 80,215 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 80,215 <EPS-PRIMARY> 2.23 <EPS-DILUTED> 2.19 <FN> Amounts for current assets and current liabilities are not shown since balance sheet is presented in nonclassified format.