<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>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-03-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-01-1997
<CASH>                                          89,808
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   79,581
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,132,059
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,385,035
<PP&E>                                         519,827
<DEPRECIATION>                                 188,194
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,734,307
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          817,579
<BONDS>                                        216,625
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,329
<OTHER-SE>                                     433,986
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,734,307
<SALES>                                      7,770,683
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             7,770,683
<CGS>                                        6,711,802
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                6,711,802
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             1,005,675
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              50,338
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,868
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,120
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,748
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,748
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .04
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .04