<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 7, 1996 and the Consolidated 
Statement of Earnings for the 28 weeks ended September 7, 1996 and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-22-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-07-1996
<CASH>                                           6,501
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  395,448
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (17,417)
<INVENTORY>                                  1,082,294
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,588,430      
<PP&E>                                       2,625,726     
<DEPRECIATION>                               (982,221)   
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,295,465     
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,358,091   
<BONDS>                                      1,468,404 
<COMMON>                                        75,335
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                      5,908
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,178,121      
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,295,465        
<SALES>                                      8,757,506         
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             8,757,506         
<CGS>                                        7,897,853         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                7,897,853         
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0      
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,716     
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              72,534      
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                134,349      
<INCOME-TAX>                                    52,503     
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             81,846     
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0     
<CHANGES>                                            0 
<NET-INCOME>                                    81,846
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.21