<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-26-2000 <PERIOD-END> AUG-26-2000 <CASH> 40,199 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 103,146 <ALLOWANCES> (3,484) <INVENTORY> 117,977 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 287,225 <PP&E> 222,837 <DEPRECIATION> 72,072 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 850,016 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 143,429 <BONDS> 615,893 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 252 <OTHER-SE> 64,938 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 850,016 <SALES> 333,241 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 333,241 <CGS> 210,930 <TOTAL-COSTS> 295,836 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 27,219 <INCOME-PRETAX> 10,186 <INCOME-TAX> 1,019 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 9,167 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 9,167 <EPS-BASIC> 0.36 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.36