<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