<ARTICLE>         5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains a summary of financial information extracted from the
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and Condensed Consolidated Statement of
Operations and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statement.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           AUG-2-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                MAY-3-1997
<CASH>                                          21,122
<SECURITIES>                                   151,055
<RECEIVABLES>                                   66,833
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,395
<INVENTORY>                                    490,062
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               785,155
<PP&E>                                         738,139
<DEPRECIATION>                                 287,035
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,336,430
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          333,119
<BONDS>                                        360,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           499
<OTHER-SE>                                     540,215
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,336,430
<SALES>                                      1,712,582
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,712,582
<CGS>                                        1,155,034
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,561,237
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                22,361
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                14,461
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              20,439
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                130,906
<INCOME-TAX>                                    53,671
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             77,235
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    77,235
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.05