<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE TWO FISCAL QUARTERS ENDED JULY 10, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-25-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-27-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-10-1999
<CASH>                                           3,585
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  426,361
<ALLOWANCES>                                    26,193
<INVENTORY>                                    852,486
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,430,435
<PP&E>                                       1,652,512
<DEPRECIATION>                                 779,597
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,367,170
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,190,793
<BONDS>                                      1,139,439
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        97,092
<OTHER-SE>                                     449,862
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,367,170
<SALES>                                      7,814,608
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             7,814,608
<CGS>                                        7,059,022
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                7,742,533
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                12,981
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              90,253
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (31,159)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (4,580)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (26,579)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (26,579)
<EPS-BASIC>                                    (.70)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.70)