<ARTICLE> 5
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-25-1999             APR-26-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-27-1998             APR-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-25-1998             OCT-26-1997
<CASH>                                          56,524                  52,460
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
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<DEPRECIATION>                                  14,152                  13,233
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 626,331                 615,735
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           86,456                  77,955
<BONDS>                                        390,000                 390,000
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<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           236                     236
<OTHER-SE>                                      90,515                  85,895
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   626,331                 615,735
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               221,005                 218,010
<CGS>                                                0                       0
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<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              24,025                  24,634
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,089                   7,164
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,469                   3,139
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
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