<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-22-1997 <PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996 <CASH> 13,670 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 75,391 <ALLOWANCES> (5,236) <INVENTORY> 89,419 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 177,609 <PP&E> 124,302 <DEPRECIATION> (36,192) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 458,758 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 100,666 <BONDS> 282,107 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 167 <OTHER-SE> 66,198 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 458,758 <SALES> 308,158 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 308,158 <CGS> 204,655 <TOTAL-COSTS> 278,054 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 21,845 <INCOME-PRETAX> 8,252 <INCOME-TAX> 825 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 7,427 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 7,427 <EPS-PRIMARY> .42 <EPS-DILUTED> .41