<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-27-2000 <PERIOD-END> AUG-28-1999 <CASH> 29,828 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 139,463 <ALLOWANCES> (2,440) <INVENTORY> 142,280 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 325,909 <PP&E> 213,404 <DEPRECIATION> (61,279) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 925,839 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 168,595 <BONDS> 580,971 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 247 <OTHER-SE> 139,946 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 925,839 <SALES> 376,927 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 376,927 <CGS> 240,003 <TOTAL-COSTS> 318,403 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,289 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 25,817 <INCOME-PRETAX> 31,418 <INCOME-TAX> 6,283 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 25,135 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 25,135 <EPS-BASIC> 1.02 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.01