<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>                          FEB-28-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             MAR-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1997
<CASH>                                          94,909
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   84,423
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,110,017
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,382,025
<PP&E>                                         525,968
<DEPRECIATION>                                 204,647
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,720,681
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          809,948
<BONDS>                                        212,609
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,381
<OTHER-SE>                                     435,708
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,720,681
<SALES>                                      1,606,551
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,606,551
<CGS>                                        1,358,668
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,358,668
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               242,667
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               9,540
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,324)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,685)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,639)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (2,639)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.06)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.06)