<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
INSERT TEXT HERE and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAY-03-1997  
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-31-1997
<CASH>                                           1,356
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  272,350
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    232,452
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               514,673      
<PP&E>                                         186,221     
<DEPRECIATION>                                  90,373   
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 682,671      
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          264,759   
<BONDS>                                        127,520 
<COMMON>                                           335
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     283,826      
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   682,671        
<SALES>                                        330,532         
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               330,532         
<CGS>                                          250,553         
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  250,553         
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                66,486      
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0     
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,888      
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,605      
<INCOME-TAX>                                     4,078     
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,527     
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0     
<CHANGES>                                            0 
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,527
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .19
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .19