<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