<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000768608 <NAME> Robert McCready <MULTIPLIER> 1 <CURRENCY> USD <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> Feb-23-1997 <PERIOD-START> Feb-26-1996 <PERIOD-END> Aug-25-1996 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 2,778,318 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 50,355,333 <ALLOWANCES> 6,436,000 <INVENTORY> 50,096,093 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 100,305,246 <PP&E> 85,543,386 <DEPRECIATION> 45,888,473 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 161,712,084 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 59,142,839 <BONDS> 85,827,695 <COMMON> 259,661 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 2,313,333 <PREFERRED> 1,366,631 <OTHER-SE> 6,723,934 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 161,712,084 <SALES> 101,456,209 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 101,456,209 <CGS> 68,381,785 <TOTAL-COSTS> 68,381,785 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 70,026,162 <LOSS-PROVISION> 6,399,215 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 6,151,528 <INCOME-PRETAX> (49,361,171) <INCOME-TAX> 140,025 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (49,501,196) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (49,843,356) <EPS-PRIMARY> $(1.99) <EPS-DILUTED> $(1.99)