<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000768608 <NAME> Robert McCready <MULTIPLIER> 1 <CURRENCY> USD <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> Feb-23-1997 <PERIOD-START> Feb-26-1996 <PERIOD-END> Nov-24-1996 <EXCHANGE-RATE> 1 <CASH> 739,773 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 73,192,940 <ALLOWANCES> 3,659,000 <INVENTORY> 45,929,148 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 123,165,942 <PP&E> 75,021,025 <DEPRECIATION> 43,541,372 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 177,756,215 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 81,350,897 <BONDS> 78,528,150 <COMMON> 259,661 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 2,343,534 <PREFERRED> 1,407,361 <OTHER-SE> 7,688,882 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 177,756,215 <SALES> 181,984,187 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 181,984,187 <CGS> 123,536,397 <TOTAL-COSTS> 123,536,397 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 90,118,368 <LOSS-PROVISION> 6,732,931 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 9,168,769 <INCOME-PRETAX> (48,265,297) <INCOME-TAX> 200,025 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (48,465,322) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (49,040,372) <EPS-PRIMARY> $(1.94) <EPS-DILUTED> $(1.94)