<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of November 1, 1997 and the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the nine months ended November 1, 1997 (unaudited) an is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> JAN-31-1998 <PERIOD-END> NOV-01-1997 <CASH> 8,617,000 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 58,441,000 <ALLOWANCES> 0 <INVENTORY> 679,521,000 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 787,009,000 <PP&E> 544,143,000 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,631,583,000 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 385,912,000 <BONDS> 438,194,000 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 0 <OTHER-SE> 689,508,000 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,631,583,000 <SALES> 1,610,891,000 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,643,983,000 <CGS> 1,022,741,000 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1,022,741,000 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 146,859,000 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 32,484,000 <INCOME-PRETAX> 52,972,000 <INCOME-TAX> 25,818,000 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 27,154,000 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> (1,483,000) <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 25,671,000 <EPS-PRIMARY> .44 <EPS-DILUTED> .44