<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 1, 1998 and August 2, 1997
and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the six months ended
August 1, 1998 and August 2, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-30-1999             JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-01-1998             AUG-02-1997
<CASH>                                      23,721,000              33,700,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                               69,565,000             317,376,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                784,310,000             732,325,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           921,685,000           1,147,864,000
<PP&E>                                     812,897,000             713,947,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           2,054,250,000           2,175,418,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      443,452,000             438,271,000
<BONDS>                                    318,243,000             675,884,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                     9,066,000               5,623,000
<OTHER-SE>                               1,140,382,000             923,243,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             2,054,250,000           2,175,418,000
<SALES>                                  1,610,276,000           1,520,556,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         1,610,276,000           1,520,556,000
<CGS>                                    1,033,438,000             981,870,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                            1,033,438,000             981,870,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            43,333,000             130,972,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          15,794,000              30,009,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             59,754,000              36,979,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                24,519,000              15,701,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         35,235,000              21,278,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                334,000               1,120,000
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                34,901,000              20,158,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .39                     .24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .37                     .23