<ARTICLE>     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE TWELVE WEEK PERIOD ENDED JULY 25, 1998
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>     1,000
       
                                                    
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                      MAY-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                           JUL-25-1998
<CASH>                                                       1,009
<SECURITIES>                                                     0
<RECEIVABLES>                                              107,156
<ALLOWANCES>                                                 3,319
<INVENTORY>                                                248,644
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                           404,481
<PP&E>                                                     365,086
<DEPRECIATION>                                             122,382
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                           1,435,212
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                      350,803
<BONDS>                                                          0
<COMMON>                                                    90,681
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                            0
<PREFERRED>                                                      0
<OTHER-SE>                                                 246,771
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                             1,435,212
<SALES>                                                    901,303
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                           901,303
<CGS>                                                      745,664
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                              745,664
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                           124,275
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                          10,117
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                             22,052
<INCOME-TAX>                                                 8,766
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                         13,286
<DISCONTINUED>                                                   0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                  0
<CHANGES>                                                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                                13,286
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                 0.28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                 0.28