<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-04-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-02-1997
<CASH>                                         317,352
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                2,498,148
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  3,371,584
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             6,422,054<F1>
<PP&E>                                       6,371,055
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              13,874,132<F2>
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        3,991,260
<BONDS>                                      3,732,269
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                13,874,132<F3>
<SALES>                                      3,452,829
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,098,671
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             1,142,298
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             106,358
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                112,597<F4>
<INCOME-TAX>                                    46,227
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 38,673
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    27,697
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     $.13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     $.13
<FN>
<F1>Includes the following:

     Supplies and prepaid expenses             128,981
     Deferred income tax assets                105,989

<F2>Includes the following:

     Intangible assets - net                   703,761
     Notes receivable                            3,976
     Other assets                              373,286

<F3>Includes the following:

     Deferred income taxes                     835,725
     Other liabilities                         559,001
     Shareholders' Equity                    4,755,877

<F4>Includes the following:

     Interest Income                             7,095
</FN>