<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             AUG-03-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-01-1997
<CASH>                                         431,156
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                2,513,143
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  4,287,328
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             7,467,419<F1>
<PP&E>                                       6,423,168
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              14,931,541<F2>
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        4,975,422
<BONDS>                                      3,682,499
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                14,931,541<F3>
<SALES>                                      3,746,276
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,286,919
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             1,191,396
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             100,957
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                176,083<F4>
<INCOME-TAX>                                    70,969
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   105,114
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .48
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .47
<FN>
<F1>Includes the following:
     Supplies and prepaid expenses             119,685
     Deferred income tax assets                116,107
<F2>Includes the following:
     Intangible assets - net                   696,940
     Notes receivable                            6,923
     Other assets                              337,091
<F3>Includes the following:
     Deferred income taxes                     842,048
     Other liabilities                         560,247
     Shareholders' Equity                    4,871,325
<F4>Includes the following:
     Interest Income                             9,079
</FN>