<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AND INCOME STATEMENT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                NOV-2-1997
<CASH>                                          41,325
<SECURITIES>                                     6,070
<RECEIVABLES>                                  162,184
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    260,280
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               526,806
<PP&E>                                         530,300
<DEPRECIATION>                               (341,067)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 918,331
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          218,721
<BONDS>                                        405,387
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        25,675
<OTHER-SE>                                     230,606
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   918,331
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               277,663
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  236,728
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 7,077
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,996
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 24,862
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,995
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             14,867
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,867
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.55
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.52