<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 3, 1994 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF EARNINGS FOR THE 40 WEEKS ENDED DECEMBER 3, 1994 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-25-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-03-1994
<CASH>                                           3,923
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  449,953
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (37,164)
<INVENTORY>                                  1,309,453
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,854,727
<PP&E>                                       2,406,263
<DEPRECIATION>                               (820,926)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,499,148
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,606,888
<BONDS>                                      1,461,906
<COMMON>                                        75,335
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      5,906
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,115,995
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,499,148
<SALES>                                     12,673,034
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            12,673,034
<CGS>                                       11,537,736
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               11,537,736
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,212
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             100,518
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (50,630)
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (50,635)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  5
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                         5
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0