<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT DECEMBER 13, 1996, CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
OPERATION AND CASH FLOWS FOR THE 28 WEEKS ENDED DECEMBER 13, 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>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-13-1996
<CASH>                                       7,880,815
<SECURITIES>                                   500,000
<RECEIVABLES>                               83,180,002
<ALLOWANCES>                                   786,000
<INVENTORY>                                 58,896,821
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           157,780,088
<PP&E>                                     244,093,080
<DEPRECIATION>                             106,913,308
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             333,819,767
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       83,094,166
<BONDS>                                    165,447,644
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                       607,515
<OTHER-SE>                                  79,510,442
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               333,819,767
<SALES>                                    545,967,563
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           545,967,563
<CGS>                                      496,402,862
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              496,402,862
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            42,608,142
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           7,002,401
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                653,743
<INCOME-TAX>                                   349,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            304,743
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   304,743
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .05
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0