<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE TWO FISCAL QUARTERS ENDED JULY 11, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-26-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-11-1998
<CASH>                                          21,974
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  436,347
<ALLOWANCES>                                    17,498
<INVENTORY>                                    984,644
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,518,608
<PP&E>                                       1,627,055
<DEPRECIATION>                                 697,146
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,921,257
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,164,307
<BONDS>                                      1,092,473
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        96,313
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,032,169
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,921,257
<SALES>                                      8,073,069
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             8,073,069
<CGS>                                        7,276,177
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                7,923,027
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 7,914
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              87,063
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 55,065
<INCOME-TAX>                                    26,156
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             28,909
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    28,909
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .76