<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of November 30, 1996 and the Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the 40 weeks ended November 30, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. </LEGEND> <MULTIPLIER> 1,000 <PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-22-1997 <PERIOD-START> FEB-25-1996 <PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1996 <CASH> 7,134 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 457,976 <ALLOWANCES> (17,554) <INVENTORY> 1,285,973 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 1,860,502 <PP&E> 2,649,692 <DEPRECIATION> (1,014,085) <TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,556,199 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,650,629 <BONDS> 1,421,673 <COMMON> 75,335 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 5,908 <OTHER-SE> 1,190,782 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,556,199 <SALES> 12,662,347 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 12,662,347 <CGS> 11,417,484 <TOTAL-COSTS> 11,417,484 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 6,138 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 105,057 <INCOME-PRETAX> 198,864 <INCOME-TAX> 76,801 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 122,063 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 122,063 <EPS-PRIMARY> 1.81 <EPS-DILUTED> 1.81