<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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-03-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-31-1996
<CASH>                                          30,670
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  125,870
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,447,382
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,733,975
<PP&E>                                         478,962
<DEPRECIATION>                                 161,445
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,064,404
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,149,113
<BONDS>                                        209,927
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,322
<OTHER-SE>                                     435,609
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,064,404
<SALES>                                      3,415,824
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             3,415,824
<CGS>                                        2,931,508
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,931,508
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               451,680
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              25,756
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,880
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,683
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              4,197
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,197
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .10