<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT DECEMBER 8, 1995, CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
INCOME FOR THE 28 WEEKS ENDED DECEMBER 8, 1995, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-Q, QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13
OR 15(D)  OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-27-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                DEC-8-1995
<CASH>                                       7,763,640
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               76,736,310
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,063,800
<INVENTORY>                                 57,672,658
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           155,281,047
<PP&E>                                     241,847,357
<DEPRECIATION>                             100,506,585
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             338,298,766
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       79,690,467
<BONDS>                                    162,484,974
<COMMON>                                       577,796
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                  90,821,529
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               338,298,766
<SALES>                                    514,907,690
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           514,907,690
<CGS>                                      474,510,781
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              474,510,781
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            46,517,196
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           4,546,783
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (10,486,116)
<INCOME-TAX>                               (3,564,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (6,922,116)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (6,922,116)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.20)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.20)