<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE COMPANY'S
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THIRTY-SIX WEEK PERIOD ENDED JANUARY
9, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-09-1999
<CASH>                                          12,670
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  131,220
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,403
<INVENTORY>                                    257,673
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               452,793
<PP&E>                                         378,919
<DEPRECIATION>                                 138,161
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,441,082
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          538,453
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        90,919
<OTHER-SE>                                     276,516
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,441,082
<SALES>                                      2,757,158
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,757,158
<CGS>                                        2,262,960
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,262,960
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               385,133
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              33,016
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 78,400
<INCOME-TAX>                                    30,601
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             47,799
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    47,799
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.00