<ARTICLE>      5
<LEGEND>       THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
               EXTRACTED FROM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS,
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND
               NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
               AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
               FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                                           
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                             JUL-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                AUG-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                  APR-30-1999
<CASH>                                            18,079
<SECURITIES>                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     26,097
<ALLOWANCES>                                           0
<INVENTORY>                                      270,084
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 328,920
<PP&E>                                           195,074
<DEPRECIATION>                                         0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   576,081
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            183,381
<BONDS>                                          269,161
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                  0
<PREFERRED>                                            0
<COMMON>                                               6
<OTHER-SE>                                       123,372
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     576,081
<SALES>                                          778,853
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 778,853
<CGS>                                            530,694
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    530,694
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 225,193
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                13,086
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (1,703)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         920
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (2,623)
<DISCONTINUED>                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0
<CHANGES>                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (2,623)
<EPS-BASIC>                                  (2,622.68)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (2,622.68)