<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                        MAY-02-1998
<PERIOD-START>                           MAY-04-1997 
<PERIOD-END>                             AUG-02-1997
<CASH>                                         8,294
<SECURITIES>                                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                249,933
<ALLOWANCES>                                       0
<INVENTORY>                                  202,972  
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             471,114        
<PP&E>                                       196,311       
<DEPRECIATION>                               104,036
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               635,577       
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        219,776
<BONDS>                                      130,520
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0
<PREFERRED>                                        0
<COMMON>                                         334
<OTHER-SE>                                   276,638
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 635,577
<SALES>                                      209,037
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             209,037
<CGS>                                        159,517
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                159,517
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              56,255
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             2,998
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (9,733)
<INCOME-TAX>                                 (3,069)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (6,470)
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0
<CHANGES>                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (6,470)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (.19) 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (.19)
<FN>

<F1> The Company recognized minority interest income in the amount of $194,000
     in the consolidated statement of operations, which represents the minority
     shareholders' portion of the loss for less than wholly-owned subsidiaries.
</FN>