WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

  



<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

       

                                        

<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-26-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-26-1998
<CASH>                                           2,975
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   36,121
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (26,495)
<INVENTORY>                                    275,389
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               511,681
<PP&E>                                         270,302
<DEPRECIATION>                                (83,077)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,774,529
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          707,678
<BONDS>                                        850,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      61,945
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,774,529
<SALES>                                      4,987,365
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             4,987,365
<CGS>                                        4,517,507
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,517,507
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               481,990
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,845
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              62,804
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (85,289)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       821
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (86,110)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (86,110)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0