<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM UNAUDITED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 12 WEEKS ENDED APRIL 27,
1997.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                       
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-27-1997
<CASH>                                          57,878
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   49,305
<ALLOWANCES>                                    (4,225)
<INVENTORY>                                    498,763
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               791,553
<PP&E>                                       1,376,971
<DEPRECIATION>                                (324,624)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,233,634
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          958,641
<BONDS>                                      2,093,762
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            15
<OTHER-SE>                                     (95,555)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,233,634
<SALES>                                      1,276,222
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,276,222
<CGS>                                        1,013,269
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,013,269
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               217,907
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              57,041
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (11,995)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (11,995)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 47,983
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (59,978)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (39.62)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (39.62)