<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                  AUG-04-1996
<PERIOD-END>                    NOV-02-1996
<CASH>                              152,596
<SECURITIES>                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                     2,821,833
<ALLOWANCES>                              0
<INVENTORY>                       4,170,860
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                  7,405,704<F1>
<PP&E>                            6,384,812
<DEPRECIATION>                            0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                   15,096,694<F2>
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>             3,803,994
<BONDS>                           5,624,065
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                     0
<PREFERRED>                               0
<COMMON>                                  0
<OTHER-SE>                                0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>     15,096,694<F3>
<SALES>                           3,609,148
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                          0
<CGS>                                     0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                      2,189,903
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                   1,231,933
<LOSS-PROVISION>                           0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                   124,510
<INCOME-PRETAX>                       73,951<F4>
<INCOME-TAX>                          32,150
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        0
<DISCONTINUED>                             0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                            0
<CHANGES>                                  0
<NET-INCOME>                          41,801
<EPS-PRIMARY>                            .20
<EPS-DILUTED>                            .20
<FN>
<F1>Includes the following:
Supplies and prepaid expenses        169,532
Deferred income tax assets            90,883
<F2>Includes the following:
Intangible assets - net              724,225
Notes receivable                     204,997
Other assets                         376,956
<F3>Includes the following:
Deferred income taxes                727,772
Other liabilities                    564,606
Shareholders' Equity               4,376,257
<F4>Includes the following:
Interest Income                       11,150
</FN>