<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated financial statements for the periods indicated and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-03-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-01-1996
<CASH>                                          20,604
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  104,732
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,368,959
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,653,329
<PP&E>                                         459,529
<DEPRECIATION>                                 149,449
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,978,569
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,064,476
<BONDS>                                        207,855
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,312
<OTHER-SE>                                     430,517
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,978,569
<SALES>                                      1,637,184
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,637,184
<CGS>                                        1,404,534
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,404,534
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               219,698
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,281
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    671
<INCOME-TAX>                                       262
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                409
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       409
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .01
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .01