<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM
10-Q FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED APRIL 18, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-26-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-18-1998
<CASH>                                          36,109
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  359,008
<ALLOWANCES>                                    17,647
<INVENTORY>                                    956,857
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,452,823
<PP&E>                                       1,626,277
<DEPRECIATION>                                 675,115
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,854,277
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,070,585
<BONDS>                                      1,113,233
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        95,660
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,014,397
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,854,277
<SALES>                                      4,567,126
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             4,567,126
<CGS>                                        4,117,882
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                4,481,836
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,713
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              51,202
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 31,375
<INCOME-TAX>                                    16,105
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,270
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,270
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .40
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .40