<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND BALANCE SHEET AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-27-1999 <PERIOD-END> AUG-29-1998 <CASH> 33,880 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 12,896 <ALLOWANCES> 99 <INVENTORY> 264,519 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 384,092 <PP&E> 382,360 <DEPRECIATION> 167,472 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 637,872 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 125,562 <BONDS> 114,479 <COMMON> 100,779 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <OTHER-SE> 270,895 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 637,872 <SALES> 531,997 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 531,997 <CGS> 304,242 <TOTAL-COSTS> 304,242 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 13,549 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 4,192 <INCOME-PRETAX> 53,164 <INCOME-TAX> 20,202 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 32,962 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 32,962 <EPS-PRIMARY> .33 <F1> <EPS-DILUTED> .31 <F1> <FN> <F1> Shares outstanding have been adjusted to reflect a 3 for 2 stock split effected in the form of a stock dividend, distributed July 29, 1998. Prior financial data schedules have not been restated to reflect the stock split. </FN>