<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-28-1998 <PERIOD-END> NOV-29-1997 <CASH> 58,221 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 82,666 <ALLOWANCES> (2,696) <INVENTORY> 113,869 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 258,995 <PP&E> 144,925 <DEPRECIATION> (46,172) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 546,711 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 105,713 <BONDS> 225,339 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 228 <OTHER-SE> (38,606) <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 546,711 <SALES> 362,687 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 362,687 <CGS> 230,825 <TOTAL-COSTS> 317,025 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 16,899 <INCOME-PRETAX> 28,763 <INCOME-TAX> 4,311 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 24,452 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 24,452 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.04 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.04