<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEET AT MARCH 1, 1996, CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE 40
WEEKS ENDED MARCH 1, 1996 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>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             MAY-27-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-01-1996
<CASH>                                       7,421,855
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               69,489,104
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,046,800
<INVENTORY>                                 57,051,419
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           149,816,379
<PP&E>                                     232,436,259
<DEPRECIATION>                              96,409,804
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             325,063,201
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       82,574,682 
<BONDS>                                    149,306,772
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       578,196
<OTHER-SE>                                  87,224,551
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               325,063,201
<SALES>                                    743,673,559
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           743,673,559
<CGS>                                      688,693,744
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              688,693,744
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            65,574,273
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           6,781,142
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (15,979,133)
<INCOME-TAX>                               (5,400,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (10,579,133)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (10,579,133)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.83)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.83)