<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)