<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-27-2000 <PERIOD-END> NOV-27-1999 <CASH> 32,429 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 124,667 <ALLOWANCES> (2,921) <INVENTORY> 136,179 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 323,092 <PP&E> 217,527 <DEPRECIATION> (66,301) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 899,074 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 193,740 <BONDS> 599,086 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 249 <OTHER-SE> 76,016 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 899,074 <SALES> 541,505 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 541,505 <CGS> 406,589 <TOTAL-COSTS> 535,129 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,289 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 39,707 <INCOME-PRETAX> (34,620) <INCOME-TAX> 6,283 <INCOME-CONTINUING> (40,903) <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> (40,903) <EPS-BASIC> (1.65) <EPS-DILUTED> (1.65)