<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             FEB-04-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-02-1996
<CASH>                                          51,022
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   78,589
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,456
<INVENTORY>                                    376,531
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               520,829
<PP&E>                                         940,546
<DEPRECIATION>                                 356,683
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,758,216
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          343,626
<BONDS>                                      1,437,816
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           13,613
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   (101,916)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,758,216
<SALES>                                      2,442,373
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,481,547
<CGS>                                        1,915,022
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,915,022
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               514,050
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,973
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             107,309
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (54,834)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,732
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (35,102)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (35,102)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (3.23)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0