<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF SEPTEMBER 10, 1994 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS FOR THE 28 WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 10, 1994 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-25-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-10-1994
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           5,391
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  438,981
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (35,633)
<INVENTORY>                                  1,203,576
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,710,839
<PP&E>                                       2,393,550
<DEPRECIATION>                                 818,553
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,484,009
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,403,609
<BONDS>                                      1,472,664
<COMMON>                                        75,335
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      5,908
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,216,466
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,484,009
<SALES>                                      8,764,840
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             8,764,840
<CGS>                                        7,990,435
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                7,990,435
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,418
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              67,955
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                138,530
<INCOME-TAX>                                    54,402
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             84,128
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    84,128
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.18